Egg Farming with the Highest Quality Care
Our National Food NW egg farming animal care certifications are among the strongest in the farming community. These rigorous programs speak for themselves and tell the story about “How We Farm”. Keeping our hens healthy and free from disease is an important component of our animal care program. We work with veterinarians and poultry specialists and strive to have healthy productive flocks. Our hens continuously have access to our custom-formulated high-quality feed, as well as clean filtered water, appropriate lighting, and management practices designed for optimal animal well-being. Learn more about our National Food NW animal care guidelines and certifications below.
Certified Humane
The goal of the Certified Humane Program is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices. When you see the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label on a product you can be assured that the food products have come from facilities that meet precise, objective standards for farm animal treatment.
Humane Farm Animal Care is supported by a consortium of Animal Protection Organizations, Individuals, and Foundations, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Washington State Organic Certification
The WSDA Organic Program is accredited as a certification agent by USDA. As a certification agent of the National Organic Program, WSDA Organic Program’s role is to inspect and certify organic operations — verifying that they are meeting the requirements of USDA organic standards. WSDA strives to provide quality services to stakeholders which include: the farmers, the processors, and the consumers that support the organic industry.
USDA Organic
The National Organic Program (NOP) develops the rules & regulations for the production, handling, labeling, and enforcement of all USDA organic products. Eggs packed and marketed with an Organic or Cage-Free production claim must be source-verified by USDA through onsite farm visits, at least semiannually. This is to ensure that laying hens are housed in an appropriate production system. For AMS approval, Organic and Cage-Free eggs must be produced by hens housed in a way that allows for not only unlimited access to food and water, but unlike eggs from caged hens, also provides them the freedom to roam during the laying cycle.
UEP Certified
Egg Producers United(UEP) developed guidelines for optimal hen well-being in egg farming – guidelines that are backed by decades of research and recommendations from an independent Scientific Advisory Committee.
The UEP Certified Program addresses the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, ensuring excellent care and quality of life for hens.
- Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
- Freedom from Discomfort Due to the Environment
- Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
- Freedom to Express Normal Behavior for the Species
- Freedom from Fear and Distress