ORGANIC
CRAFT
MEAT
Certified Organic Beef
Certified Organic Chicken
What is Certified Organic?
There can be a lot to dissect on a food label — from the nutrition facts, ingredients, dietary claims and certifications. One label, “Organic,” can be especially confusing, and to be certified by the USDA, farms, and ranches must follow a strict set of guidelines.
Here are a few key requirements:
- Animals must have year-round outdoor access with sunny areas, shade, shelter and clean water
- Animals must be fed a diet of 100% organic feed and forage (that’s also GMO-free)
- Animals may not be given antibiotics or hormones
- Farmland cannot use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for at least three years
Myths and Facts
Not all organic meat products are grass-fed. In fact, many animals enjoy a blended diet of GMO-free corn and grain while grazing on organic farm pastures. To use the USDA Organic seal, products must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients — but the other 5% can’t be just anything. Among other nuances, it must be GMO-free. To ensure you’re getting Certified Organic products, look for the USDA Organic seal, or the organic badge on Crowd Cow farm profiles.
Not all organic farms have this labeling, however. Many of the independent farms Crowd Cow works with actually meet the organic criteria but choose not to pay for certification. Others might practice holistic organic farming, but process their meat in facilities that aren’t certified organic. Certified Organic is just one criterion that helps consumers identify the best farming practices, and when paired with the high standards set by Crowd Cow, you know you’re getting some of the best pasture-raised meat you can find.
