A couple of weeks ago (I think), when the University of Illinois Meat Science Lab opened up online ordering, I tried to place an order five minutes after the online ordering went live. It was closed. All of the alloted orders had been filled.
It’s awesome that so many people are taking advantage of this wonderful resource, and that this resource is even able to have online ordering.
After receiving Meat Mail with the next online ordering info, I set an alarm on my phone for 2 minutes prior to the “opening” time, and refreshed the page when it was the time. Then I ordered a bunch of stuff. There was a good variety of beef and pork products, but no chicken products available (save for eggs). I paid online, completed my order, and waited for an email with pick up information.
Photo by Jessica Hammie.
The pick up process is super easy, and contactless. My email told me to pick up my order the following day (within a three hour window), so I donned my mask and drove to the Maryland Drive location. Upon pulling into the parking lot, you approach the northeast corner of the lot. An employee (also wearing a mask) checks your name from the passenger side of your vehicle, with plenty of space between them and your car. Then you pull forward to the door of the building, and another employee loads your order into your car. Then you drive around the parking lot and exit.
Everything was super easy; I was in and out in about five minutes.
Photo by Jessica Hammie.
The Meat Science Lab can only accept 200 or so orders (subject to change) at a time, so please have patience if you’re not able to place an order on your first try.
You can sign up for Meat Mail here.
Meat Science Laboratory
1503 S Maryland
Urbana
Top image by Jessica Hammie.
