when I was starting out the old guy who trained me got me into the habit of saving the beef fat in the winter then grinding it and form it into many balls then rolling them in bird seed then wrapping them and freezing them and selling them in the case. I remember they were high in demand in the winter..People would constantly be asking for them because they help the birds stay warm in the winter. Anyway I have not done that since working there. I have wanted to but I never had the authority to just say lets starts making suet balls. I asked the boss before if we could but he didn't want to go through the trouble. Now I work in a store where I got more say in what we sell or don't sell and I got a co worker who is always asking me to save and then grind the fat for her because she wants to make suet balls for the birds. So I was thinking maybe its time to try selling them again, but for the life of me I can't remember what kind of price i used to put on them. I am hoping some of you might do this on occassion and can give me some ideas on a fair price for a ball of fat rolled in bird seed.
I push these all the time, it's almost pure profit! the last year i was a meat manager- I sold over $2700 of bird-balls A girl in the deli was an art student and i asked her to make a large sign, with birds singing on a bare tree branch(with a snowy landscape behind the tree) chirping away-with a caption "these happy birds just ate a bird-ball"
I think everyone should try these!!! just dont overprice- if the fat is dry-add some water, it has to be a bit moist for the balls to hold together
In one camping resort area 10 years ago, we ground fat thru once-then melted it down to a liquid in the bakery oven poured the liquid fat in a large brownie pan, threw in birdseed, and peanuts in the shell, let them harden and called them "critter-snacks" for 1.69lb and they sold very well!!
Great idea. I just don't know if Kroger will let me try this. All our product has PLU numbers. I could probably change the price on the scale for beef suet (#1090). . . (I've memorized the #'s) Would be a great way for Harry to keep the fat out of the trim lug.
Bird Balls (as we called them) are always a great way to add some profit during the down times when one has time to make them. I don't make them any more because I'm retired but never had a problem selling all I could make. After grindkin g a lug full of suet and fat we would roll them into balls and them roll them in bird seed. Then we would "jet net" them into netting and all ready for hanging in trees for the birds. It was not a lot of revenue at 99 cents/lb but i was a help.
Bird Balls (as we called them) are always a great way to add some profit during the down times when one has time to make them. I don't make them any more because I'm retired but never had a problem selling all I could make. After grindkin g a lug full of suet and fat we would roll them into balls and them roll them in bird seed. Then we would "jet net" them into netting and all ready for hanging in trees for the birds. It was not a lot of revenue at 99 cents/lb but i was a help.
Jim
We did the same thing when I worked for Nash Finch. We sold the heck out of those things! We also sold them at 99 cents but now I reckon we could get 1.99/lb. We have people ask a lot.
I noticed in the local Meijer's today that Beef Suet is $1.39/lb so I bet you could get $1.89/lb or maybe more for bird balls.
Just don't market them in the red nylon nets often used on smoked hams as I've heard the nylon can injure bird's beak. Instead use the cotton jet netting used on rolled roasts, much safer for the birds.
I noticed in the local Meijer's today that Beef Suet is $1.39/lb so I bet you could get $1.89/lb or maybe more for bird balls.
Just don't market them in the red nylon nets often used on smoked hams as I've heard the nylon can injure bird's beak. Instead use the cotton jet netting used on rolled roasts, much safer for the birds.
Hilarious! Jim, I bet working in your shop was pretty fun. fdarn I bet you can warrant $1.99/lb for suet balls. Keep in mind, this won't cover your margin but it shouldn't hurt it.
