Born Free
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Valley Forge, PA |
| Website | https://bornfreeeggs.com/ |
| Market Area | East, Midwest |
| Total Score | 390 |
Born Free eggs can be found at Acme markets, Food Lion grocery, and Safeway and Meijer stores on the East Coast. Born Free eggs are supplied by other companies, including Kreher’s Farm Fresh Eggs and Braswell Family Farms.
This brand did not participate in Cornucopia’s survey or participate in Cornucopia’s investigation. While some information was found about this brand’s practices, we could not confirm everything.
If you are a customer of this brand, we encourage you contact the brand owners and ask them to participate fully in Cornucopia’s research. We always want the most accurate and up-to-date information on our scorecards, and consumers play an important role by demanding transparency from their food suppliers.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 390 | 2-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 0 | Contract model, unknown relationship with suppliers |
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Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in systems that benefit us all. Eggs sourced from a single operation receive the most points. Eggs of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Commitment to Organic Label | 100 | All of the Born Free brand appear to be certified organic, but some are |
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Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards. Other Labels and Standards | 50 | Certified Humane (free range and pasture raised) |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 0 | Unknown |
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The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits. Hen Housing and Exit Areas | 0 | Brand standard may allow aviary system, fixed houses with unknown exiting requirements |
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Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors. Indoor Spacing | 20 | Minimum of 1.5 square feet in litter housing and 1.2 square feet in aviary systems for Certified Humane |
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High scoring brands provide enough space to allow each hen to fully utilize their outdoor area, and to perform instinctive behaviors without harming the environment. Outdoor Spacing | 25 | Unknown, but meets minimum for Certified Humane |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 25 | Outdoor quality may vary greatly (especially between |
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Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress. Outdoor Access Timing | 0 | Unknown timing |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 25 | Enrichments not known, but outdoor access meets minimum for legitimacy |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 70 | Beaks can be trimmed before 10 days of age, but forced molting and de-beaking is prohibited |
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Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish. Chicks and Pullets | 0 | Unknown |
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Brands that have low rates of deaths and utilize their spent hens for human consumption or similar score the highest. Deaths, Culls, and Spent Hens | 0 | Unknown |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 0 | Unknown |
| Feed Sourcing | 25 | Feed is non-GMO, unknown if domestic |
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Brands that score well here go above and beyond to ensure the highest animal welfare, taking into consideration their hens’ safety and cleanliness, natural behavior, and stress levels. Animal Welfare | 50 | Meets minimum animal welfare benchmarks |
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Cornucopia believes you have a right to transparency. Top brands share information with Cornucopia via a survey and cooperate with our own independent investigations. Transparency | 0 | Did not participate |
| Soy free and/or gluten free? (non-scoring) | Some eggs are soy free (check packaging) | |
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Brands do not receive points, but are invited to submit the name of their Accredited Organic Certifier (suppliers may have different certifiers). Organic Certifier (non-scoring) | Unknown at contract farm level | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
