You will not normally find me heralding a big business, I’m a staunch advocate for the small and local. I’m particularly fond of pasture based farmers. Vital Farms, while a big company, sources it’s eggs from pasture based farmers, so we’re giving them a bit of a pass.
The backstory:
McDonald’s announced it’s cage-free commitment and set off a stampede throughout the food industry. Nearly 200 companies have followed suit including Walmart. As the giant shift so must egg production, but, as I’ve said before, “cage free” does nothing mean free at all and just creates confusion for the customer.
McDonald’s and everyone else in the food industry knows cage free it isn’t better for the chickens, or the farmer. It means a higher mortality rate for the chickens and higher costs for the farmer, but is sounds better than enriched cages (which would be slightly better for the chickens). As long as the consumer doesn’t understand a distinction between cage free and pasture raised, the industry looks to be meeting demands for more humane treatment of chickens, but no one, least of all the chicken, will benefit from this particular shift except maybe McDonald’s and Walmart.
So, Vital Farms made a video to illustrate the difference between cage-free/free-range and the pasture raised chickens in a witty way. Is suspect it had more to do with the increase competition, but whatever. It’s a great video.
If you can’t buy eggs directly from a pastured based farmer, like the Happy Pig, give Vital Farms’ eggs a try. They’re available in Kroger, Publix, Wholefoods, and several other large grocery store chains.
Do not waste your money on cage-free or free-range. If you can’t afford/access pasture based, buy the cheapest large white eggs at the grocery store. They will be the freshest because they are the most popular egg in the store.
Until next time…
The Happy Pig 