Organic Valley

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersLa Farge, WI
Websitehttps://www.organicvalley.coop/products/eggs/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6_2g0sed_QIVBxGtBh1T6w2jEAAYASAAEgLkz_D_BwE
Market AreaNationwide
Total Score555

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.

CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1700) 555
2-egg
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points.
Ownership Structure
90Cooperative business model
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
100Sells only organic products
Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards.
Other Labels and Standards
0Some eggs may have other labels; check packaging
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions.
Flock Size(s)
50Flock size varies between suppliers
The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits.
Hen Housing and Exit Areas
50Hen housing is primarily fixed, practices vary
Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors.
Indoor Spacing
25Did not cooperate in investigation, but brand has set standards
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
25Did not cooperate in investigation, but brand has set standards
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round.
Quality of Outdoor Access
40Suppliers are not required to rotate outdoor area, but access is legitimate
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress.
Outdoor Access Timing
25Did not cooperate in investigation, but brand has set standards
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life.
Enrichments
0No answer/information not confirmed
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming.
Alterations
0Beaks trimmed, most likely at hatcheries
Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish.
Chicks and Pullets
0No answer/information not confirmed
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
0No answer/information not confirmed
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points.
Environmental Impacts
40Suppliers have varying environmental stewardship and manure-handling practices, some of which are good while others are poor
Feed Sourcing50Feed is typically sourced locally or known organic supplier
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
20Meets some animal welfare benchmarks
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
40Did not participate, some information was able to be confirmed
Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies.
Soy free and/or gluten free?
No answer/information not confirmed
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)
Certifier varies on-farm
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form.
Extra Credit
0None