Grass-fed? Organic? Cage-Free? How to Make Sense of Label Claims

Are you looking for real meat without the added antibiotics, hormones, and nonhumane practices? Are you confused about organic, free-range, cage-free, or pasture-raised meat?

Shop at your local farmers' market or health food store, where you can get to know the seller and the source of their products. Ask questions about farming practices and standards. 

"100% grass-fed start to finish" is the most reliable term when it comes to ruminants such as beef and lamb. For ruminants, the gold standard will always be “all grass, all the time.”

Pigs are not ruminants and, therefore, need some grains and roots and so forth.

Ask your producer or retailer about production methods. Keep in mind that terms such as “all-natural,” “wholesome,” “naturally raised,” grass-fed, “ or “free-range” are somewhat less candid. Producers use these terms to try to sell you their food “like the food from Grandma’s farm.” These terms tell you nothing about how it was raised.

Chickens, turkeys, and ducks are different from ruminants. It is important that poultry eat grain, bugs, or seeds.

Terms on poultry meat, such as "organic," "cage-free," or even "free-range" do not mean that these birds have a clean, grassy place to live. They could be living in a building with thousands of other birds, breathing in stale, fecal-dust-laden air, never being more than a few yards outside the building if they go outside at all. 

In order for animals to live healthier, happier lives, they need clean, healthy pastures to sleep and live in.

That's why we manage and rotate them to eliminate diseases and parasites. The land helps the animals produce good, clean, healthy meat for a healthier diet and a better environment.

At Green Ridge, we are committed to bringing you high-quality nutrient-dense foods. We source everything as locally as possible and strive to be as transparent as possible. Probably the most important thing you can do is know your farmer and know where your food comes from.

Come check us out today!

Whenever possible, we source LOCAL, HOME-RAISED veggies and fruit. Always ORGANIC, unless noted otherwise.