Can you trust 20 rib-eye steaks for $39?

A traveling wholesale meats promotion advertising “20 rib-eyes for $39” will set up shop this week in the parking lot of Tractor Supply Co. in Marana. Is the deal too good to be true, or are you simply getting what you paid for? Here are the nitty gritty details to be aware of.

Promotion may not match expectations

At first glance, the promotion appears legitimate. Salespeople accept SNAP, credit cards and mobile payments. The setup looks professional. However, multiple customer reviews and investigative reports describe different experiences.

The flyer shown here promotes rib-eye steaks, yet the stock image shows a cut more similar to a sirloin or filet. According to multiple customer reviews, the product received is thinner, averaging 4 ounces per rib-eye and about a quarter-inch thick. For comparison, a restaurant rib-eye averages double to triple the size at 10 to 16 ounces and is one to one-and-a-half inches thick.

When buying steak at a local butcher counter, the only ingredient is usually beef. But while no additives are indicated on the marketing for these $2 steaks, photos in customer reviews show box labels indicating an added injection (up to 15%) with a solution of water, plum juice concentrate, salt, sodium phosphates, trehalose, rice starch, and rosemary extract. Furthermore, their beef patties also contain water, bread crumb, and beet powder for color.

Complaints echo in various states

The Better Business Bureau rates Kenston Farms, the vendor behind this event, with an F. Reviewers cite poor meat quality and misleading practices. One customer reported rib-eyes so thin they resembled hamburger patties.

WFTV Orlando ran an investigative report where a food safety expert found the meat heavily processed with added water, starch, and enzymes. The rib-eyes tested lacked grading and consistent quality.

Upsells, fees and pressure tactics

Additional customer first-hand accounts report aggressive sales tactics. Shoppers report pressure to upgrade to $200 meat bundles. In some cases, customers allege added fees without warning. One Florida buyer paid an 11 percent “event fee” on top of the advertised $39.

Since the meat is sold at pop-up events, some customers report difficulty finding a location for returns or support after the event is over.

Attempts to reach a live person at Kenston Farms via the phone were unsuccessful; a recording directs customers to message the business on Facebook.

Shop local and ask questions

Upon calling the Pima County Consumer Health & Food Safety department, the person on the phone confirmed that Kenston Farms applied for a temporary permit and will be inspected on site during operation.

Kenston Farms may legally offer its meat boxes, but many buyers walk away frustrated. While the flyers show badges for USDA Prime and Choice meats, some customers said the product did not meet the quality implied by the USDA labels.

Consumers can avoid disappointment by buying from trusted sources. For high-quality beef, visit butchers at local businesses with grading, weight, and sourcing upfront, such as Forbes Meat Company, Dickman’s Meat & Deli, Davison Meats, and Rancheros Carnicería.