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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some answers to some frequently asked questions. Click on the question to view the answer.

Ordering

How do I place an order?

We have several convenient ways for you to place an order. You can order online, over the phone or via fax.

What information do I need to place an order?

In order to place an order with us over the phone or via fax, you will need the following information:
  • Your name, billing address and a phone number in case of questions.
  • The ship to street address and a day time phone number for the recipient. We cannot ship to PO boxes, APO or FPO addresses.
  • Any gift message. Your greeting can be up to two lines and will appear on the outside of the package. If no greeting is indicated (for items being sent to someone other than yourself), the message will read “Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” from: (Your Name).
  • We will need your method of payment. If paying by credit card, we will need your CC number, expiration date and the 3 digit code on the back.
  • Please indicate when you would like your order to ship.

When should I place my order for the holidays?

For Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and other holidays, orders must be received three weeks in advance of the holiday to guarantee arrival before the holiday.  During other times of the year, please indicate the date that you would like your order to be shipped. We will schedule delivery to arrive as close as possible to your requested date.


Shipping & Handling

How are my orders shipped?

We ship our products in a reusable, insulated cooler and ice packs to ensure your products arrive as fresh as possible and in good condition. The shipping and handling charges are based on the ship to address and the weight of the package.  A few things to keep in mind when ordering:
  • We ship on Mondays and Tuesdays of each week so that the product arrives before the weekend. To preserve the integrity of our products, they are not packaged until we receive your order.
  • All orders are shipped via UPS, either by Ground or 2nd Day Air.
  • We cannot ship to PO boxes, APO, or FPO addresses. Be sure all addresses are correct and include daytime phone numbers for each recipient. If the address is incorrect, we cannot be responsible for packages shipped to a wrong address and may incur an additional handling fee.

When do holiday orders ship?

Because of the busy shipping season before Christmas, we will be sending your Holiday gifts in the beginning of December.  To have enough time to process your order, we ask that you get your selections in prior to that date, as your gifts are made to order.  See “How are my orders shipped?” under Shipping and Handling for more information.

Can I include a gift message?

Your specific greeting of up to two (2)  lines will appear on the shipping label of the package. If no special greeting is indicated for an item being sent to someone other than yourself, the message will read “Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” from: (Your Name).

What are your payment options?

Payment for orders being placed online will be accepted through PayPal. If you place an order over the phone, we accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover. We cannot accept cash, nor can we ship COD. Payment is due at the time your order is placed.

Preparation & Serving

How long can I store the ham and bacon?

When we pack your ham and send it, you receive the freshest ham we make. Refrigerate immediately and without breaking the vacuum packaging on the ham, it should keep fresh for up to two weeks. Freezing is not recommended because it breaks down the muscle tissue and tends to lose its texture and juices. But if needed, do not freeze longer than 30 days.
 
Bacon is packaged the same way, receiving the freshest we make. Also, refrigerate immediately and without breaking the packaging. It should also keep fresh for up to two weeks. Unlike the ham, the bacon can be held in the freezer for a longer period of time. It could be in the freezer for 50-60 days.

Do I have to cook the ham?

Cooking is not necessary because every ham we make has already been smoked and fully cooked. It can be eaten cold, hot or any temperature in between. We feel warming our hams releases some of our flavor from the natural marbling and enhances the smoke flavor.

Preheat oven to 325º F. Place ham on rack in roasting pan and cover with foil. You may fill the bottom of the roasting pan with ½” of water to retain moisture. Warm for about 15 minutes per pound or until internal temperature is 140º F. Hams will vary in weight and ovens will vary in temperature so cook to temperature.

Using a meat thermometer will insure the best results.Unused portions of hams should be refrigerated and consumed within a week. To freeze, wrap tightly in aluminum foil and put in an airtight plastic bag. Do not freeze for over 45 days.

How do I carve a ham?

To carve a whole ham, just follow these steps:
  1. Cut a wedge in the shank end (the pointed end)
  2. Remove the fat.
  3. Starting at the wedge, slice from the shank end to the butt end (the rounded end), slicing the meat to the bone.
Save the bone! The bone is a wonderful addition to a pot of beans or a great start to a winter soup stock.

Why can't I have sausage or pork patties shipped?

We only ship our smoked products. Our sausage and pork patty items are fresh which means they have not gone through the smoking process. In order to ship “fresh” products, they would have to be packaged with dry ice and we do not have access to dry ice at this time.