Farmers' markets continue to grow in popularity and
are an excellent venue for humane farmers to sell
their products. These markets provide the critical
connection between consumers and the farmers who
grow and raise their food, something you can't find in
a grocery store. They also give consumers a chance
to ask farmers how they grow their produce and raise
their animals. FACT would like to offer some
suggestions to help you make the most humane and
sustainable choices when shopping at your farmers'
markets.
1. Not all farmers markets allow poultry or other
meats to be sold. However, if yours does, chances
are the market will require that the meat or poultry be
frozen to comply with food safety or public health
ordinances. In general, freezing is done immediately
after butchering and will not compromise the quality of
the meat.
2. When shopping for poultry (chicken or turkey), ask
the farmer how the animals are raised. Do they roam
on pasture or are they inside a barn most, or all, of the
time? What do the hens eat? Are they ever given
antibiotics, and if so, under what conditions?
Antibiotic
use is only acceptable when used to treat acute
illness. Although most pastured poultry are fed grain,
they should be raised on grass, free to peck and walk
around. Hormones are not permitted in poultry
production by law. Therefore, a "no added hormones"
claim on chicken and turkey is unnecessary and
misleading.
3. Are you looking for beef? Cattle should be raised
without growth-promoting antibiotics or hormones.
Although most cattle are raised on pasture, typical
factory-farmed beef is "finished" for the last few
months on a feedlot diet of corn. FACT does not
consider this to be humane. Cattle should be raised,
and finished, on pasture because grass is a more
natural diet for cattle and will not upset their rumens
(stomachs). Beef labeled as grass-fed should come
from cows that do not eat any grain, but consume only
pasture grasses and forages. Grass-fed beef is
higher in conjugated linoleic acid (a good fatty acid),
and lower in saturated fat, calories and cholesterol.
4. Pigs should be pasture-raised or raised in
hoop houses with deep bedding. Sows should be
free to nest and move about freely. Ask specifically if
the farmer uses gestation or farrowing crates. If they
say yes, then move on. Hormones are not permitted
in
pork production by law. Therefore, a "no added
hormones" claim on pork is again unnecessary and
misleading.
5. Is the farmer selling eggs? Ask the farmer
how they raise their hens. Are they in a cage free
environment? Do they have access to the outside and
what kind of access is provided? Remember that the
color of the eggs depends on the hen, so expect to
see eggs in all shades of white and brown.
Occasionally, you will see green or blue eggs. These
come from Araucana or Americana chickens, breeds
well suited to life outdoors.
6. Cheese is becoming more popular at
farmers' markets. Some farmers raise the cows that
provide the milk for their cheese, others do not. Make
sure the dairy cows are free to roam on pasture and
do not live in a confinement facility. Some farmers
make their cheese entirely from grass-fed milk. The
cows that produce this milk graze on pasture and are
not fed any grain. Like grass-fed beef, grass-fed
cheese is higher in conjugated linoleic acid and lower
in saturated fat.
