Organic, free-range chicken has become an increasingly popular choice for health and ethically minded consumers. Studies show that organic poultry provides more nutrition while avoiding antibiotics, hormones and GMOs common in conventional chicken production. At the same time, free-range methods allow chickens to live natural lives outdoors. With consumer demand rising rapidly, more local farms and grocers now offer organic chickens raised humanely and sustainably. Here is your guide to finding local sources of high-quality organic chicken near you.
Why Choose Organic, Pasture-Raised Chicken?
Organic chickens must be given 100% organic feed free from artificial chemicals antibiotics hormones and GMOs. They also must have access to the outdoors and sunlight year-round. This natural diet and lifestyle leads to more nutritious eggs and meat compared to conventional chickens. Specifically, pasture-raised organic chicken provides
- More vitamin E, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids
- Higher antioxidant levels to reduce inflammation
- Less saturated and total fat compared to confined chickens
- A more balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids
Free-range access also allows chickens to engage in natural behaviors like foraging dust-bathing and roosting outdoors. This reduces stress and disease compared to overcrowded indoor facilities used in conventional production.
Overall, choosing organic pasture-raised chicken is better for your health, the environment and the humane treatment of animals. That’s why more consumers are switching from supermarket chicken from factory farms and seeking out local sources of high-quality organic poultry.
Check Your Local Health Food Store or Co-op
Many natural grocers and food co-ops now carry organic and pasture-raised chicken from local farms. Check the meat department or poultry case to find all-natural chicken raised without antibiotics or hormones. Look for the “organic” and “free-range” labels when available.
Some of the most common brands of organic chicken found at health food stores include:
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Mary’s Organic – Air-chilled organic chicken raised on family farms in California. They offer whole chickens as well as cuts like breasts, thighs, drumsticks and wings.
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Bell & Evans – Organic, antibiotic-free chicken from Pennsylvania available in both air-chilled and water-chilled varieties.
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Applegate Organics – Humanely raised, organic chicken products free from antibiotics. Find whole chickens, boneless breasts, nuggets and more.
When comparing brands, look for third party certifications like USDA Organic and Animal Welfare Approved to verify humane, sustainable practices. Talk to the meat department staff for recommendations on the best organic chicken choices carried at your local store.
Search for Local Farms at Farmers Markets
Farmers markets offer another great way to find organic pasture-raised chicken and eggs sold directly from local farms in your area. Use online directories like LocalHarvest and EatWild to find farmers markets near you.
Once there, look for stands selling meat and eggs. Ask the farmers questions about their practices to learn more about how they raise their chickens. Some key things to ask:
- Are the chickens raised cage-free on pasture?
- Are they fed 100% organic feed free from GMOs?
- Are antibiotics or hormones used?
- What organic certifications do they have?
Developing relationships directly with local farmers ensures complete transparency about how your food is produced. Some farms even allow customers to tour their facilities upon request.
Use Online Farm Directories
Want organic chicken delivered straight from a local farm to your door? Online farm directories like Get Real Chicken and Eat Wild allow you to search for farmers in your state selling pastured poultry.
You can filter your search by:
- Type of poultry (chicken, turkey, duck etc)
- Products offered (eggs, whole birds, parts, boneless cuts etc)
- Diet (organic, non-GMO, soy-free etc)
- Where it’s sold (farm pick-up, delivery, farmers markets etc)
Once you find a farm, visit their website to learn more about their practices or contact them to ask questions. Arrange a delivery or pickup that works for your schedule. Maintaining a direct relationship with a local pasture-based farm is the best way to get the freshest organic chicken available.
Check Your Grocery Store Selection
Even many conventional grocery stores now sell organic and pasture-raised chicken to meet rising consumer demand. Check the poultry case or freezer section for certified organic offerings. Look for the “organic” and “no antibiotics added” labels for verification.
Some of the most widely available national organic chicken brands in grocery stores include:
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Perdue Harvestland Organic – Certified organic Perdue chicken products including whole birds, breasts, tenders and more.
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Pilgrim’s Pride Organic – USDA certified organic chicken from one of the nation’s largest poultry producers. Find whole chickens and boneless skinless breasts.
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Tyson NatureRaised Farms Organic – Organic chicken certified by the USDA from the largest U.S. chicken producer. Products include whole birds and breast fillets.
When comparing brands, verify they meet USDA organic standards and have third party certifications. Also look for labels like “pasture raised” and “non-GMO feed” for chickens raised in the most natural conditions.
Order Direct from Local Farms Online
Another way to access farm fresh organic chicken is to order directly from local farms online. More small poultry producers now offer online ordering and delivery options.
For example, Primal Pastures in California lets you order their certified organic, pasture-raised chicken breasts, tenders, ground meat and more on their website. They also share videos and photos providing complete transparency into how their chickens are raised.
Other farms like Joyce Farms in North Carolina sell pasture-raised, non-GMO chicken nationwide via their online farm store. Peruse their selection of free-range whole birds, breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings and organs.
Purchasing directly from local farms online gives you access to the highest quality poultry while supporting local agriculture and food producers. Make sure to verify their humane practices and organic certifications when ordering.
Ready to Bring Home Some Organic Chicken?
As you can see, you have more options than ever for finding locally raised organic and pastured chicken near you. Start by looking for certified organic brands at your local health food store or grocery store. Check out farmers markets to meet local producers and farmers face-to-face. Use online farm directories to find farms delivering straight to your door. Or order online directly from small poultry farms shipping nationwide.
With so many choices available, you can feel good bringing home nutritious, humanely-raised organic chicken to your dinner table while supporting sustainable, ethical family farms. When sourced locally, organic poultry provides the freshest taste and quality while aligning with your values. So start searching for your new source today!
PASTURE RAISED – CORN FREE – SOY FREE – REGENERATIVE
We’ve set the gold standard for nutrient density and ethical farming. Since starting with 50 birds in our Southern California backyard in 2012, we have never compromised on our values. Today, our grass fed meats continue to be a testament to our passion for providing wholesome, ethically raised products you can nourish your family with.
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Everything You Need To Know About Buying Chicken At The Grocery Store
FAQ
Does it make sense to buy organic chicken?
The overall risk of many illnesses like heart related diseases and obesity is lower when comparing organic chicken to industrial chicken. Organic chicken is also almost half as likely to be carrying Salmonella, in comparison to conventionally industrial chicken meat.
Is Trader Joe’s organic chicken really organic?
Trader Joe’s Organic Chicken Breasts come from chickens raised specifically for us primarily on family farms, under the strict USDA guidelines for Organic Certification.
How can you tell if chicken is organic?
Organic Chicken
The “organic” label is a good one to look out for, but keep in mind it just means that the chickens have been fed a certified organic diet and often — but not always — means the farming practices used in feeding the birds are better.
What chicken brand is organic?
Bell & Evans is 100% committed to true organic chicken.
This diet—plus our low-stress, humane living conditions—keep our chickens healthy without the need for growth hormones, antibiotics or other additives. 100% of our chicken houses are built for organic transition, because we continue to promote and grow organic.
Where can I buy organic chicken?
There are many places where you can buy organic chicken. Some stores, such as Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market, carry a wide variety of organic meats and poultry. Other stores, such as Target and Walmart, carry a smaller selection of organic chicken, but you can often find it in the freezer section.
Where can I find organic food?
LocalHarvest.org is an easy-to-use database that helps source organic and regenerative farms, farmers markets, CSA’s, restaurants, grocery stores, co-ops, u-pick farms, farm stands, as well as wholesale and meat processors that sell organic food. Simply choose “Farms” from the drop-down menu at the top of the site and type in your zip code.
What should I look for when buying organic chicken?
When buying organic chicken, it’s important to look for a few things. First, the chicken should be certified organic, which means that it has been grown without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals. Second, the chicken should be free-range, which means that it has been allowed to roam freely and eat a natural diet.
Is organic chicken more expensive than conventional chicken?
Organic chicken is more expensive than conventional chicken, so be prepared to pay a little more. Look for local organic chicken at your farmer’s market or specialty grocery store. How Does Organic Chicken Taste Different From Non-organic?
How to cook organic chicken?
Another way to cook organic chicken is to saute it in a pan with some olive oil and vegetables. This is a great way to cook it if you want to get a lot of flavor out of the chicken. You can also make organic chicken into a stir-fry dish. Just add some vegetables and sauce to the chicken and stir-fry it until it is cooked through.
How do I find farms near me?
Try searching for a town or city near you. Then zoom out on the map until you start to see farms. The results will automatically filter based on your view of the map. And you can move the map around to re-center it. When you find a farm or farms near you, reach out to them via their Get Real Chicken profile.