Frequently Asked
Questions

How do I get my order?

Amana Farms Beef is available through a limited home delivery program or local pick-up.

 
What are the options for pick-up times and locations?

Pick-up is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4–6pm at our Amana Farms Beef office, 3195 Highway 6 Trail, Homestead.

In Cedar Rapids, our pick-up is Wednesdays from 4–6pm at the Lindale Mall south side parking lot, near the 1st Avenue entrance.

During the check-out process, you will select a pick-up location, date, and time that works best for you. If you cannot use our regular pick-up hours, choose “Call me to schedule an appointment” at check-out, we will work with you to arrange the most convenient possible option.

 
Where do you offer home delivery?

We offer home delivery in the following communities: Walford, Fairfax, Swisher, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins, Marion, Tiffin, Coralville, North Liberty, Solon, Iowa City, Williamsburg, and Vinton.

Home delivery will appear as an option for qualifying zip codes during checkout.

 
Is there a charge for home delivery?

We have free home delivery to our designated zip codes with orders above $250. Orders under $250 will be charged a $25 delivery charge at check out.

 
What days are home delivery available?

Delivery to Tiffin, Coralville, North Liberty, Solon, and University Heights are on Tuesdays. Cedar Rapids and its surrounding communities are on Thursday.

We use a local Cedar Rapids company to pick up your order in Amana around 9:30am on the morning of your delivery. Amana Farms Beef is delivered directly to your home, and depending on the number of stops, will arrive within a few hours.

 
Do I need to be home to receive the delivery?

No. We deliver your Amana Farms Beef order in thermally insulated boxes with freezer packs. The packaging will keep your beef safe for up to eight hours.

You will receive a text message when the delivery arrives at your home. We recommend getting your meat into your home as soon as possible.

 
How do I choose home delivery?

Home delivery will automatically appear as an option for qualifying zip codes during check out.

If you ever have questions, email us at info@amanafarmsbeef.com or call (319) 622-6161.

 
When will my order be ready?

All orders are hand-picked, so, usually, your order will be ready within 1-2 business days from the date you order online for pick-up.

Home delivery orders placed before 10am on Monday will be delivered on Wednesday of the same week. Orders placed after the 10am cut-off time (and throughout the week) will be delivered on Wednesday of the following week.

We will keep you updated if the dates move.

 
What if I’m not satisfied with my order?

If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we’ll either replace it or refund your money, whichever you prefer. Amana Farms relies on the goodwill of our customers and the heritage of producing quality, honest goods. We back up our products with a 100% guarantee.

 
Can I purchase Amana Farms Beef at the Amana Meat Shop or through their catalog?

Amana Farms Beef is not available through the Amana Meat Shop or online at amanameatshop.com.

Amana Farms Beef offers the convenience of frozen products so consumers can stock up on affordable locally raised beef. We freeze our individually hand-cut beef in vacuum-sealed packages after the aging process is complete to ensure a consistent product, pricing, and inventory throughout the year.

We are working on a new fresh program – more info to come.

Is your beef 100% USDA inspected?

Yes. A USDA-approved designation means that the processing of our beef is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. In addition to meat products, our facilities and equipment get inspected to ensure sanitary conditions.

 
How is your beef graded?

Even though processed in a USDA inspected plant, Amana Farms Beef doesn’t use the official USDA grading process. Other than USDA grading, many factors affect a quality beef eating experience, most notably the animal’s maturity, diet, and low-stress environments. Our butchers visibly inspect Amana Farms steaks, confirming marbling consistent with standards of upper quality beef. You can expect a quality marbled steak from Amana Farms Beef.  

 
How long can I keep meat frozen?

When properly stored with a tight, vacuum-packed seal, meat can last up to eight months frozen. For freshest results, we recommend cooking your meat within six months of freezing.

 
How long should beef last in the fridge once thawed?

If refrigerated immediately, we recommend cooking the meat within four days of thawing.

 
Why do you age your beef for a minimum of 21 days?

Aging beef makes it more tender. When beef ages, its natural enzymes break down the muscle tissues and create a tender and flavorful cut of steak. Wet aging locks in meats natural moisture thanks to vacuum-seal packing held at refrigerated temperatures, resulting in a greater yield and fresher tasting beef. Steaks require more than the industry minimum of 14 days to develop the more desirable complex beef flavor.

Where is your farm located?

We are not hard to find, with 26,000 acres making up the Amana Colonies. Since we are a working farm, our cropland, farmsteads, pastures, and timber are not open to the public, but you can take the eight-mile drive through the center of our farm on HWY 220 and see what we’re up to.

 
Where do you source your beef?

Our cattle are home-raised, which means they were born in Amana. Ensuring cattle are 100% born and raised on a single farm promotes the health and well-being of the herd, reducing potential outside health threats. We guarantee that every cut of beef comes from our farm and meets Amana’s high standards for quality and flavor.

 
What are your cattle fed?

Our calves are born in the spring months of March and April, roaming freely with their mothers until the end of the grass-growing season. In the fall, cattle are moved into our covered cattle barn and put on a healthy all-vegetarian diet of home and locally raised forage and corn, keeping them comfortable and safe all year round.

How does Amana Farms Beef come up with its pricing?

We determine our price by starting with the cow and working our way to the consumer. Selling only home-raised cattle and controlling the processing, storage, and distributions keep our costs stable. We take our break-even costs and add a fair profit to sustain our operation. Removing the unpredictable commodity markets allows us to keep pricing consistent throughout the year

 
How is Amana Farms Beef different from other direct-to-consumer beef operations?

Amana’s beef is available year-round and includes the processing fees. Determining actual cost and scheduling the processing can be complex and confusing when purchasing a ¼ or ½ of meat. Few of us understand how the live weight, hanging weight, or box weight translates into what you can expect to get for your freezer.

Amana Farms Beef removes third-party processing and eliminates the guesswork by selecting the most popular and desirable cuts.

 
How do Amana’s prices compare to others?

Consumers who buy beef weekly based on seasonal retail specials may think it is overpriced. We don’t take it personally. Fluctuating pricing is how the commodity game works. If you have the freezer space and can order from Amana Farms Beef various times throughout the year, our stable pricing model will save you money by leveling out the ups and downs in the market. We don’t sell the cheapest beef. Our goal is to create a fair price and stick to it.

We guarantee an honest price and a wonderful eating experience or your money back.