With the hot days of summer still upon us, it is hard to believe the holidays are growing near. Nevertheless, it is that time of year again to pre-order local meat. Don't miss out on your favorite cuts this season!

With Thanksgiving just 77 days away, local producers are already selling out of farm fresh meats for the holidays. "We offer Thanksgiving turkey and are taking deposits now, "Cris Watson of Renaissance Farms in Hardeman County said. "We tend to sell out early since we have a limited availability."

One local producer suggests that the holidays aren't just about turkeys and hams anymore. "Customers are becoming more serious about their meats and more confident in what they can prepare," Jennie Schutte of Pilaroc Farms in Lincoln County said. "Whole prime ribs, Frenched leg of lamb's, and for the adventurous, even skin-on, bone-in pork tenderloins are requests we've had in the past."

Do you plan more than one meal for out-of-town guests during the holidays? If so, purchasing other meat varieties may be something you should stew on. "We already have customers stocking up on ground beef for the holidays," Bonnie Mullican of Willow Oak Farms in Warren County said. "Ground beef is perfect for quick and easy meal prep while family and guests are in town."

So, don't go cold turkey -- order your holiday meats from a local producer today. Visit www.PickTNProducts.org or use the free Pick Tennessee mobile app to find a local meat producer or farmers market near you. Follow "PickTNProducts" on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about current seasonal recipes, products, and activities.