Animals raised on organic farms are should have plenty of access to the outdoors. This is natural, humane, and essential to producing high-quality meat without antibiotics.

At Greensbury Market, we only work with small organic family farms that raise animals with plenty of year-round access to pasture, fresh air and sunshine. Our farms have always complied with standards requiring that meat labeled organic must come from animals with outdoor access and livestock with access to pasture.

Unfortunately, over the years, a few large organic producers have been exploiting loopholes in the USDA labeling laws, and not providing a truly free-range environment. Now, thanks in part to the advocacy work of Consumers Union,  the nonprofit publishers of Consumer Reports, the USDA has tightening up the organic standards by providing clear guidelines on what “pasture raised” actually means. Here are the guidelines that producers much comply with by 2011:

• all organic animals have year-round access to the outdoors
• ruminant animals, such as cows and lambs, will be required to graze on pasture during the entire grazing season (which will vary depending on region but cannot be less than 120 days) and get at least 30 percent of their dry nutrition from the pasture while they are grazing.
• beef and lamb must come from animals that were not confined during the finishing period (when animals are usually fattened on grain).

At Greensbury, we’re proud of our 100% organic label, and we stand behind every effort to ensure that consumers get what they deserve when they choose organic meats.

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