Recently, there has been a surge of increased supply and demand for eggs that are labelled “pastured,” “free rage” or “cage-free.” (These eggs also cost more which you can read about in our previous article here.) This is a fantastic trend. But as popularity grows, so does the importance of really understanding what all those labels on your egg cartons really mean.
Marketing vs. Reality
The truth is, there are no government regulations when it comes to the labels used to market the egg industry. For example, while conventional hens are raised in battery cages no bigger than a shoebox, cage-free does not necessarily mean free-roaming in lush pastures where hens enjoy sunlight and stretch their wings all day. Most cage free eggs are produced in aviaries where hens are jammed into barns with rows of roosts, nests and feeding stations. While these hens can move about, they have no outdoor access and share germs at higher rates because of close quarters.
“Pastured” can also mean different things depending upon the farm. Regenerative farmers allow their hens to be truly free range having access to outdoor pasture to feed on bugs and roam all day. While other pastured hens may only have access to a small patch of dirt in front of a barn.
In fact, many organic egg producers, while adhering to organic standards in terms of feed and elimination of hormones or antibiotics, use giant henhouses with as many as 180,000 birds, that might have access to a tiny screened porch, but will never reach it.
Getting to Know Your Egg Farmer
The best way to ensure your eggs are ethically raised for the highest nutritional value is getting to know your farmer. Think of that local farmer as a tutor for your homework. And not only will you build a relationship with that farmer, but what you can learn will also help on many levels.
For example, regenerative farmers use free range chickens to benefit the soil and other animals on the farm. Hens keep fly population down by picking larvae out of manure and then act like little fertilizing machines spreading everything around. This of course benefits grass-fed livestock. So not only does buying eggs from a local farmer help raise the chickens, but everything else off that farm as well.
Pretty neat huh? We think so too.
In many ways, the reality is better than any marketing promise. Because once we learn the realities, we can all work together for a local food ecosystem that regenerates our health, communities and environment.
We can’t think of a better reason to buy free range eggs from a local farmer than that.
Looking for Free Range Eggs?
Click here to search and buy free range eggs directly from a local regenerative farmer. And if you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment.