Nicasio Valley Farm
Rating | |
Farm/Brand Headquarters | Nicasio, CA |
Website | https://nicasiocheese.com/apps/easy-coming-soon |
Market Area | CA |
Total Score | 235 |
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) | 235 | 1-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 75 | Family owned business likely single-farm source but unconfirmed |
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 | 50 | Egg sourcing appears to be 100% organic |
Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards. Other Labels and Standards | 0 | None |
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 50 | Below 20k birds per house |
The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits. Hen Housing and Exit Areas | 40 | Likely fixed housing with unknown exits |
Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors. Indoor Spacing | 0 | Unknown |
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 | 0 | Unknown |
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 0 | Unknown |
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress. Outdoor Access Timing | 0 | Unknown |
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 0 | Unknown |
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 0 | Unknown |
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 |
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 |
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 0 | Unknown management for environmental impacts |
Feed Sourcing | 0 | Unknown |
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 | 0 | Unknown |
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 | 20 | Did not participate, but some information could be found in investigation |
Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies. Soy free and/or gluten free? | Unknown | |
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) | CCOF | |
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |