What do your local farm supply stores sell them for? You need some local frame of reference to go by. The price in NYC is different than Boise and that is different than [substitute in your small town]. Asking for generic prices here isn't going to be the best answer for you. Obviously, pricing too high/low for you market is going to be a problem so you do have to do some local price comparisons. You don't have to underbid the competitors, but you have to be in the ballpark. You can also check the online herb vendors as another data point. FataMorgana

There are a lot of great ideas here! If I'm serving the soup/sauce that day, I usually just use a large stainless spoon but you lose too much of the broth/sauce that way--not just the fat. I've considered the fat separator but haven't bought one. I really like the All Clad spoon--I may pick up one of those. I think I would use it enough to make the price worth it. I also love the freezer bag trick and the ice bath for a quick cool down.

Many times you can scavenge straw bales from businesses and individuals who use them in Fall displays or Halloween decorations. This is a terrific and easily stockpiled brown for composting and also makes a very good mulch for vegetable gardens. Below is the text of a 1 page form letter I wrote to request this material. I printed up a dozen or so copies and keep them in the truck. Whenever I spot a "stash" I stop and look for the manager, make my pitch and give him a copy. The beauty is even if the manager is unavailable you can leave the letter for him and get to make your pitch without having to make additional trips back. You can also use this method to "troll" other establishments for compostables like leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmer chips, juice bar leavings, farmers markets discards and so on. Just modify the text as needed to suit your request. If you hit enough locations you will surely wind up with a number of reliable "suppliers". Print this on side one of the page Removal of your Straw Bales Dear Sir or Madam, I am looking to collect unwanted straw bales to use as winter mulch for a large garden. I would be happy to remove the bales you have on your display once you no longer have any use for them. I will also take away any unneeded corn stalks or pumpkins if you have them. You can call me at the number below. Leave a message with your location. At your convenience, I will come by, gather up, and dispose of whatever you no longer have a need for. Please post this note somewhere as a reminder. Thank you for your time, A.C. Wacko 555-123-4567 Print this on side two of the page in a large, bold font and centered at the top Straw Bale Pick Up 555-123-4567 Tri fold the page so the large bold face shows.

Thanks Screen writer, I left pretty close to 4 pm and did not see them. Glad the mystery is solved.