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Why are farm eggs only labelled as “free range” and not “organic”?

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Why are farm eggs labeled as “free range” but not “organic”?

I’ve always purchased organic eggs from the store, but recently I’ve switched to buying from local farms because they’re more affordable and I enjoy supporting local businesses. However, I’ve noticed that no farms label their eggs as organic. Does anyone know the reason for this? Is “organic” just a term that stores use to charge higher prices based on slightly different feed for the chickens?

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One response to “Why are farm eggs only labelled as “free range” and not “organic”?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    Great question! The difference in labeling, particularly between “free range” and “organic,” primarily comes down to regulatory standards and the practices of individual farms.

    1. Certification Requirements: To label eggs as “organic,” farms must meet specific certification requirements, which include using organic feed (grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers) and providing access to outdoor space for the chickens. This certification process can be time-consuming and expensive, which might deter smaller or local farms from pursuing it.

    2. Free Range vs. Organic: “Free range” generally means that the chickens have some level of outdoor access, but it doesn’t necessarily dictate what kind of feed they receive. Many local farms might raise their chickens in a humane, pasture-based system but choose not to certify their eggs as organic due to the costs and regulatory hurdles.

    3. Cost and Pricing: Local farms might focus more on providing quality, humane practices rather than going through the organic certification process, which allows them to keep their prices lower. This can make local, free-range eggs more appealing for both affordability and support of local businesses.

    4. Consumer Awareness: Many consumers are becoming more aware of how eggs are produced, leading to a demand for transparency. Some local farms may prefer to market their eggs as free-range while educating consumers about their practices without jumping through the hoops for organic certification.

    It’s always a good idea to ask your local farmers about their practices. You might find that they follow similar standards to organic farms, even if they don’t have the label.

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