Greensbury Market is proud to announce that we recently set a new record for daily sales on Jasmere.com. We couldn’t be happier to welcome over 200 enthusiastic new customers, and we hope you continue to give high marks to our selection of organic meat  and our customer service.

Jasmere seeks out small specialty retailers they believe deserve national attention. Their team of New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC- based shopaholics personally tests every product they feature, and they offer exclusive discounts for a limited time.

100% Organic Grass-fed Greensbury Beef

Don’t overcook! That’s usually the big headline when it comes to cooking flavorful meat. Because 100% grass-fed beef is lower in fat content than conventional beef, you should take special care not to overcook it. Whether you’re choosing grass-fed beef for your own health, the health of the environment, or the happiness of the free-ranging cattle (or all three), you may find that you have to adjust some of your favorite recipes to get the best results.

What makes grass-fed so special?

Before we talk about cooking with it, here’s a quick primer on why grass-fed beef is different.  Cattle that are truly grass-fed spend their entire lives in pastures eating grass, rather than being “fattened up” on grain in order to produce the more conventional American style of beef and marbled steak. That’s good news for the cows, because grass is their natural diet and best for their health.

When you buy 100% grass-fed beef (rather than grass-fed beef that is grain finished), you get many nutritional and health benefits. Its lower saturated fat content is good for heart health. Grass-fed meats can have up to one third less fat as a similar cut from a grain-fed animal.

Additionally, grass-fed beef contains Omega-3 fatty acids. People with ample amounts of omega-3s in their diets are less likely to have high blood pressure and 50 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack. Omega-3s are essential for proper brain functioning and may reduce the risk of cancer.

Grass-fed meats are also one of the richest sources of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs). CLAs may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer. A Finnish researcher showed women with the highest level of CLA in their diets had a 60% lower risk of breast cancer than those with lower levels. Compared to grain-fed cattle, meat from grass-fed cattle contains three to five times more CLA products.

How to get the best results in your kitchen

1. 1. Experiment with lower temperatures. Try cooking your steaks at a lower temperature, to prevent moisture loss and toughness. A grass-fed steak tastes better when it’s on the rarer side, since it will retain better flavor and more of its nutritional content if it’s not too well done.
2. Try shorter cooking times. Generally grass-fed beef cooks faster. Assume a 20-30% reduction in cooking times, and use a meet thermometer to prevent overcooking, which leads to point number three…
3. Use a meat thermometer.  If you’re shooting for medium rare, you will want a temperature of 125 degrees. But remember:  your meat’s temperature will rise at least 5-10 degrees after you remove it from the heat source. So, if you’re pan-frying a grass-fed sirloin steak, for example, you may want to take it off the stove at 115.
4. Slow cook. You can get great results from grass-fed beef by using a slow cooker, since you aren’t as likely to overcook.
5. Marinate overnight. Give the meat plenty of time to soak in the flavor.

Eating organic heirloom-variety pork is a wonderful way to sample the rich, distinctly flavorful meat that our ancestors enjoyed for generations.

Pork from heritage breeds is moister and has a better flavor and texture than the pork from conventional hybrids. And the sustainable methods used by today’s small family farms to raise heritage breeds are good for the environment, too – so it’s a win-win-win situation for the earth, the pigs, and pork lovers like us.

What does “heirloom-variety organic pork” mean?

Once upon a time, farmers raised their pigs by letting them roam the woods and fields. These happy pigs didn’t look much like the great whites you see on conventional factory farms, in confinement settings.

How can you recognize a happy old-fashioned heirloom-variety pig?  They not only have plenty of access to the outdoors, but they are also fed a natural diet without antibiotics or added hormones. They are allowed to engage in natural behavior like rooting, wallowing and foraging. Pregnant sows are not crated. And lastly, these pigs don’t look like “standard” pigs: they descend from unique breeds that are gradually disappearing from the earth.

In fact, of the 15 breeds of pigs raised in the United States in the 1930s, only 9 survive today. Too many heritage breeds are in danger of becoming extinct. Their continued survival depends on increasing the market for pork that isn’t bland, white and dry – the qualities many Americans have come to expect from “the other white meat.”

Heritage breeds of pork

In the Midwest, heirloom-variety pork is available through small family farms. They raise pigs known as Berkshires, which originated in England 300 years ago. The breed is well known for its flavorful meat, well marbled with fat. Celebrated chefs as well as ordinary pork lovers prize Berkshires precisely because the meat doesn’t taste like chicken.

From Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, to Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, to Jean-Georges Vongerichten in New York City, the best American restaurants are now serving the best American heirloom-variety pork from organic farms.

If you’re interested in learning more, the American Livestock Breads Conservancy (http://albc-usa.org) maintains a watch list of breeds that are considered a conservation priority. Here are the breeds on the 2009 list:

• Choctaw
• Gloucestershire Old Spots
• Guinea Hog
• Large Black
• Mulefoot
• Ossabaw Island
• Red Wattle
• Tamworth
• Hereford
• Saddleback

Greensbury Organic Heirloom-Variety Pork Chops with Cranberry Chutney

This recipe is one of our favorite ways to bring together two American classics: heirloom-variety pork and American cranberries. Enjoy!

Serves 4

4 bone-in pork chops

For marinade:

2 shallots, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season

For chutney:

4 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 shallot, minced

2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen

¼ cup golden raisins

2 teaspoons chopped fresh lemon thyme

Mix marinade ingredients in a 9″ x 13″ glass or ceramic dish. Add the pork chops and use your hands to rub the marinade into both sides of each chop. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.

To make the chutney, put the brown sugar, vinegar and shallot into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the cranberries and cook until they pop, stirring often. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the raisins. Simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the thyme.

The chutney may be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored covered and refrigerated. Re-warm gently before serving.

To cook the organic pork chops, prepare grill or grill pan. Remove the chops from the marinade, wipe them dry and season with salt and pepper. Cook the chops over high heat, turning at least twice, until they feel almost firm, about 6-8 minutes for ¾-inch thick chops. Do not overcook. Serve with chutney alongside.

Crock-pot

We think today’s slow cookers are a great way to experiment with affordable, flavorful cuts of organic meat you might not ordinarily buy. Wondering what to do with a rump roast? Interested in cooking a delicious grass-fed skirt steak or flank steak without your grill? Slow cookers are an excellent tool for tenderizing tougher cuts of organic beef, lamb or pork. Other reasons for jumping on the slow-cooking trend include:

Convenience: If you’re willing to put in a little work in the morning, you can go to work, and come home to a home-cooked meal. And slow cooker recipes are often “meals in one” that don’t require lots of additional side dishes. One word of warning:  many slow-cooked meals actually require a little more attention than you might imagine. For example, you may need to brown the meat beforehand. And not every recipe is designed to conveniently coincide with an 8-hour workday.

The gadget factor: Let’s face it – it’s fun to have an excuse to buy a new toy for your kitchen. You can still find plenty of simple cookers like the original Crock-Pots of the 1970s, but now you can also opt for shiny new models with more bells and whistles. Today you can choose a programmable slow cooker such as the top-rated All-Clad programmable slow cooker, which lets you designate cooking times. Simple, no-frills slow cookers such as the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go are a much less expensive option that still gets the job done – though you may have to spend a little more time monitoring what you cook. For entertaining, there are models such as the Crock-Pot Trio Cook & Serve Buffet, which includes three slow cookers with individual heat settings.

Affordable meals: Many Americans are concerned about spending wisely these days. Slow cookers are a wonderful way to turn humble ingredients into a warm and welcoming meal.  Lentils and beans, rice, potatoes, noodles… some of the least expensive staples can transform with the addition of broth, spices, or wine. And a simple organic chicken or organic beef roast can gradually turn into a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meal.

Slow cookbooks & recipes

Here is a sampling of recently published cookbooks that you can use to make slow-cooked meals. Keep in mind that many traditional recipes can be adapted to slow cookers. And, if you don’t feel like investing in a new gadget, you can use your oven to make delicious meals with organic meats such as rump roast, too.

Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook

Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking

Slow Cooker: The Best Cookbook Ever with More Than 400 Easy-to-Make Recipes

Slow & Easy: Fast-Fix Recipes for Your Electric Slow Cooker

Organic Pot Roast

If you want to try something simple when you test drive your new slow cooker, here’s a recipe from Martha Stewart that requires only 15 minutes of prep time and makes a savory organic pot roast.

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch

8 medium carrots, cut into thirds

2 medium onions, each cut into 8 wedges

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 organic beef chuck roast (3 pounds), trimmed of excess fat

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

In slow cooker, stir together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Add carrots and onions; season with salt and pepper, and toss. Sprinkle roast with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; place on top of vegetables, and drizzle with Worcestershire. Cover; cook on high, 6 hours (or on low, 10 hours). Transfer roast to a cutting board; thinly slice against the grain. Place vegetables in a serving dish; pour pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve, if desired. Serve roast with vegetables and pan juices.

This holiday season, maybe it’s time to start thinking outside the box. Who says you have to send the traditional gifts? For the right recipient, green products and organic foodstuffs perfectly express the spirit of the holiday. You can show you care about the planet and the recipient. Here are some unconventional ideas that can brighten the days of colleagues, family and friends.

1.     Organic Grassfed Beef – Sending meat in the mail may sound funny, but why not? So many Americans love to celebrate with a terrific steak or roast this time of year. Grassfed beef is becoming more and more popular, due to its health benefits, yet it’s not easy for everyone to find at their local supermarket. A delicious sampler of Greensbury organic grassfed ribeyes, filet mignon, and other fine cuts can be ordered online and sent directly the door of anyone on your list. All they have to do is defrost, cook and serve!

2. Organic Tea – The holidays can be stressful.  Consider bringing a tin of relaxing organic teas to treat the host of a holiday party, instead of wine or spirits. Green, white, and black teas contain disease-fighting antioxidants, and herbal teas may have wonderful properties ranging from aiding digestion to calming the nerves.  Organic tea samplers can also be sent via mail through sites such as www.mightyleaf.com and www.republicoftea.com.

3. Organic Bamboo Socks – Everybody needs new socks. Organic bamboo is wonderfully soft and silky and also resists odor, making it an ideal material for socks of all kinds, from active anklets to knee socks to fashionable and funky socks for the whole family. Bamboo is the most sustainable natural fiber. It even fights global warming, since bamboo takes in 5 times the amount of greenhouse gases and produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. Warm toes, cool the planet…give organic bamboo clothing! Check out www.footprintbamboo.com.

4. Recycled Jewelry – Creative jewelers are making truly unique necklaces, earrings and other jewelry out of every kind of recycled material imaginable. To name a few: glass, porcelain, bicycle tubes, skateboards, and computer components.  When you consider how much harm is caused by mining for gold and gems (to humans and the planet alike), it’s exciting to discover that you can give someone a little holiday sparkle while staying mindful of environmental and political issues. Read this ecoable.com article for some samples of what’s new and different.

5. Customized Reusable Bags – Everyone’s jumping on the bag wagon these days, making or selling reusable totes. It’s a practical earth-friendly gift. But that doesn’t mean it has to be dull. You can order a canvas tote for someone on your list that’s customized with a name or photo – more incentive to bring it along wherever they go! There are plenty of online sources including this one: www.itsonlynaturalgifts.com.

That wraps up this shopping list, though there are plenty more green ideas out there. Remember, organic meats, organic fruits and vegetables, and other organic products are free of things nobody puts on their holiday list: hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides.

Curry Chicken Salad

Do you ever feel a little bored by the same old chicken? If so, we’ve got some great recipes that will help jazz up your palate.  But first, here are a few facts that make certified organic chicken an especially good choice for any recipe:

• No antibiotics ever used
• No hormones ever used
• No pesticides or herbicides ever used in the soil or the feed
• No artificial ingredients
• Free range (which makes chickens less stressed and better tasting)

And now for the recipes!  We found and tried a couple of great recipes on popular cooking blogs that reflect the incredible versatility of chicken. Much as we love a simple grilled breast over greens, we also savor trying new things. You can start with simple organic chicken breasts and create a truly exciting meal.

Chicken Curry Salad Recipe (from Simply Recipes)

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 lb skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes

Salt

1 yellow onion, roughly chopped

2 heaping Tbsp yellow curry powder

1 cup raisins

1 apple (tart or sweet, your preference), peeled, cored, and diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (just lightly packed)

2 green onions, sliced

1 Tbsp mayonnaise optional

METHOD

1 Heat olive oil on medium/medium-high heat in a thick-bottomed sauté pan. Add chicken pieces and cook, stirring frequently until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle some salt on the chicken pieces while cooking. Check doneness by removing the thickest piece and cutting it in half. If it is still pink in the middle, keep cooking. Try not to overcook the chicken or it will be dry. Remove chicken pieces with a slotted spoon, set aside in a bowl.

2 Add yellow onion and cook. After a few minutes, when the onions are beginning to get translucent, add 2 heaping tablespoons of yellow curry powder. Cook a few minutes more, stirring frequently. If the curry sticks to the bottom or the mixture gets dry, add a bit more olive oil to the pan. As you stir, scrape up the stuck curry bits. Add raisins, and cook, stirring another minute. (If adding optional mayonnaise, remove curry from heat and mix in mayo.) Add raisin and onion mixture to chicken and mix well, coating the chicken pieces with the curry infused olive oil. Refrigerate until cool. At this point you can make the salad a day a head of time.

3 When you are ready to serve the salad, mix in the apple, green onions, and cilantro.

Serves 4.

Flatbreads with Spiced Chicken and Pistachios (from the Wednesday Chef)

INGREDIENTS

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts

3 red bell peppers, 1 minced, 2 roasted, peeled, seeded and cut into strips

1 small onion, minced

3 scallions, minced

2 teaspoons sumac, more for garnish

2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1 teaspoon za’atar, more for garnish

1 teaspoon salt, more to taste

1 egg

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 cup lightly toasted, finely ground pistachio nuts

4 large rectangles of lavash

Pepper to taste

1 cup thick yogurt

METHOD

1. Cut chicken into 2-inch chunks and place them in a food processor. Process to a smooth paste until it forms a ball, about 1 minute. Add minced red pepper, onion, scallions, sumac, Aleppo or cayenne pepper, za’atar, salt, egg, cream and pistachios, and pulse together just until incorporated, about 6 pulses.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees; heat a pizza stone if you have one. Cut lavash into rectangles, about 5 by 6 inches. Cover each piece with about 1/3 cup chicken mixture, spreading to edges.

3. Place on a heavy baking sheet or pizza stone and bake 12 to 15 minutes, until crips and chicken is cooked through. While still hot, sprinkle with additional sumac and za’atar. Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt, and strips of roasted pepper on each.

Going green isn’t always cheap—at least in the short run. Whether you’re shopping for organic beef, an energy efficient washing machine, or a bamboo sweater, the price of green living can be a little higher. Here are some ideas that will make going green a little easier on your pocketbook.

Understand what “green” really means

What’s the difference between “organic meat” and “natural meat”? What’s a carbon footprint? Why is everyone suddenly using the word “sustainable” to describe everything from food to furniture? There are lots of great resources out there that explain the labels, the terms, and the impact of various choices. You might begin with some basic books such as:

Green Living for Dummies

The Everything Green Living Book

It’s Easy Being Green

These books not only explain important concepts, but also provide tips on making small changes and investments that can actually save you money in the long run.

Do your homework

Green is more mainstream now than ever before. There are more and more recycled products, organic food, energy-saving appliances and other green choices on the market. You can search on the Internet and compare prices. You can find wholesale or bulk options that reduce cost over time. You can learn more about exactly what you’re paying for, so that you know, for example, whether the price of your organic steak reflects a commitment to quality and taste as well as organic certification.

Prioritize your values

Price is important, especially in these lean times. But remember to consider different aspects of your choices: lifestyle, taste and aesthetics, convenience, sourcing (where does it come from?) and philosophy (what kind of producer or company do you want to support?)  Also decide what parts of your life you feel most passionate about “greening up.” For some people, choosing organic food is essential, since it impacts individual health as well as the environment. If you commute long distances for work, you may want to spend more on a hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicle. If your energy bills are sky high, you may want to focus on lowering them through savvy investments.

Vote with your wallet

If you haven’t seen the movie Food Inc. yet, you can now watch it on DVD. The film makes many compelling arguments about the problems with our current food industry. One thing that stands out: every time you make a food purchase, you’re telling producers what you want to eat. So if you really prefer organic beef, make a vote with your wallet! When enough people demand organic food and other green products, they will be more available and affordable.

Invest in a green lifestyle

Spend money to save it. Consider buying an extra freezer to stock up on bulk or wholesale quantities of organic beef and other organic foods. Calculate how much you’ll save over time if you buy that energy efficient washing machine, or a programmable thermostat, or new windows for your older home. Eat out at restaurants less, cook meals at home more, take public transportation, get an energy audit, calculate your carbon footprint… If you’re willing to take the time and spend the money to make changes now, you may find that green living is much less expensive than you thought.

If you’re wondering whether chemicals are really present in your food, the answer is clear: most meats and other foods sold in the United States today contain a cocktail of trace amounts of chemicals, from pesticides to synthetic growth hormones.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, our country’s meat supply contains the residues of 500 to 600 different chemicals. The debate isn’t about whether they’re there, but how much harm they cause humans, especially because the FDA only monitors some of these chemicals.

What are the possible risks?

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) recently released its latest “Smart Guide” covering the issue of hormones in the food system. Here’s a list of some of the types of chemicals that find their way onto our plates and into our bodies:

o hormone growth promoters given to food animals

o hormone-active pesticides sprayed on food crops

o hormone plastic additives in baby bottles, infant formula cans or other food packaging

o hormone disruptors that build up in the food chain (like brominated flame retardants)

According to the Guide: “[E]ver-strengthening science links exposure to many individual hormone disruptors —pesticides, Teflon chemicals, plasticizers and food contaminants—with these common or rising chronic conditions, including:

o Breast and prostate cancer

o Thyroid disease

o Obesity and diabetes

o Endometriosis, uterine fibroids and infertility

o Immune-related disease, such as asthma or allergies.

Why are hormones and other chemicals used in food production?

Certain synthetic hormones can make young animals gain weight faster. They help reduce the waiting time and the amount of feed eaten by an animal before slaughter in meat industries. Pesticides are used on farms to protect crops – including grain used for feed – from insects.

Does organic meat contain chemicals?

Even organic meats and organic produce aren’t completely free of toxic chemicals. Contaminants leach into the land, water, and air around the globe. But certified organic livestock are never given antibiotics or synthetic hormones such as the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone. Their feed is organic and vegetarian. Organic farmers use natural methods to control pests. By eating all-organic meats, you also limit your intake of genetically modified foods, because organic farmers cannot raise genetically modified crops or livestock or use production aids that are genetically modified.

Is organic meat better for the environment, too?

Well-balanced soil is the foundation of healthy, nutritious food. Conventional farming depletes the soil over time. Organic farmers use practices that replenish and build healthy soil. They also protect the water supply. Eliminating polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, in combination with soil building, prevents contamination and protects and conserves water resources. Organic farmers use green manures and crop covers, too, rather than synthetic fertilizers made from petroleum.

Choosing organic is a great way to take care of the people you care about. You can nourish yourself, your family, and the planet by supporting sustainable farming practices and eating foods that are truly good for you.

The easiest way to make organic meat part of a healthy diet is to practice cooking for yourself — not just on special occasions, but for everyday meals.

Everyday home cooking is a good strategy for staying healthy, not only because you can choose high-quality ingredients such as organic meats, organic vegetables and whole grains, but also because you will naturally consume fresher, less processed foods. Plus, when you’re the chef, you can control your daily intake of fat, sugar and salt.

Cooking for yourself: why and how

We’ve got some pointers on how to make cooking for yourself fun and painless, plus some easy recipes featuring organic beef, chicken and pork. But first, a quick note about why getting into the kitchen is so important. Take a look at the CDC’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion website, and you’ll find many alarming statistics, as well as this reminder:

Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable.

Too much bad food is contributing to the rise in Americans’ chronic health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Eating well – along with other good habits like physical activity – can prevent or control the effects of these diseases.

We were inspired by Micheal Pollan’s article that appeared this summer in the New York Times magazine, titled Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch. He makes the excellent point that we spend a lot of time watching cooking shows, but not a lot of time cooking for ourselves…and relying heavily on packaged foods that save time but may add to our waistlines.

So why not get off the couch and get into the kitchen again? Bring along your favorite organic meats, vegetables, fruits, spices… and try these strategies for getting inspired.

1. Stock your kitchen

It helps to have basic ingredients on hand. Be sure to have the most common spices (basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, sea salt and pepper, to start) in your cupboard, as well as canned tomatoes, beans, vinegars and oils. Buy onions, garlic and potatoes ahead since they keep well. And keep your freezer full of good quality organic meats and vegetables you like, such as organic chicken breasts, organic steaks, chopped spinach and corn.

2. Make it a party

Cook with friends or family members whenever possible, giving everyone different tasks. Kids love jobs like peeling garlic or grating cheese, and even the most reluctant chef should be willing to chop a vegetable or two. Put on some music, pour some wine…whatever makes ordinary weekday cooking feel festive and fun.

3. Splurge a little

Cooking at home can save you a lot of money over time, especially if you’re in the habit of eating restaurant meals a lot. So, if you’re switching to scratch cooking, don’t be afraid to invest in really good ingredients – you’ll notice the difference!  A fine grass-fed ribeye steak doesn’t need much except salt and pepper, and a fresh spring mix from the farmer’s market can taste delicious with just a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Generally, the better the quality, the less work you need to do in the kitchen.

4. Find recipes that match your lifestyle

If you usually have only 30 or minutes to prepare dinner in the evening, you don’t want to tackle a two-page recipe for authentic Italian lasagna. Buy a few recipe books that focus on everyday cooking for home chefs. And search online at places like epicurious.com, which allow you to filter “easy” recipes.

Our Greensbury chef has created some great, easy recipes we invite you to try:

Organic chicken recipe

Organic pork recipe

Organic beef recipe

Herbed Organic Chicken Breasts

When it’s not cooked well, chicken can be a terrible disappointment. Need we mention the famous “rubber chicken” you sometimes get at buffets on in airplane meals?

But with just a little care and attention, chicken can be an amazingly easy, versatile ingredient in any kind of meal. Chicken sausage, marinated and grilled chicken breast, stir-fried chicken with spicy Asian sauce, breaded Italian chicken cutlets…the possibilities are as varied as they are delicious.

Better yet, chicken is naturally low in fat and calories, so it naturally fits today’s more health-conscious lifestyles. Toss that grilled chicken breast on a bed of leafy greens, and you can sit down to enjoy a meal without worrying about your waistline.

If you eat chicken often – and many Americans do – choosing organic chicken can help you feel even better about your healthy diet.  Plus, it can give you peace of mind to know that the animals and the earth benefit from organic farming practices.

Here are five good reasons to buy organic chicken:

1. Tried and true. For the majority of human history, organic chicken was all you could get! It was just plain old chicken, naturally free range – and free of things like synthetic hormones. High-tech industrial farming changed all that. Now, more and more research suggests that we’re better off following the traditions that were handed down through generations of small family farms. Check out the recent report by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production (PCIFAP) regarding the impact of industrial farming practices on public health.

2. 2. Rigorous standards. Organic farms are inspected by a government-approved certifier to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic meats must be certified, too. If you buy chicken with an organic label, you can be assured that qualified inspectors are keeping a close eye on how that chicken was raised and processed.

3. No hormones, antibiotics or GMOs. Organic chickens are never given antibiotics or synthetic hormones. Their feed is organic and vegetarian. Organic farmers cannot raise genetically modified crops or livestock or use production aids that are genetically modified.

4. More humane farming practices. Animals on certified organic farms are raised with special attention to their health and wellbeing. They have access to fresh air, sunshine, and the outdoors. Organically raised animals grow at their own natural pace, with no artificial hormones. By following free-ranging or free-grazing practices, organic farms not only treat animals more humanely, but also improve the animals’ health and reduce stress.

5. Better for the environment. Certified organic farmers do no use most conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation. Organic agricultural practices prevent pesticides and other chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us. They also replenish and build healthy soil. Organic farmers emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.