These Came First (Natural Grocers)
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Lakewood, CO |
| Website | https://www.naturalgrocers.com/our-story |
| Market Area | Western US |
| Total Score | 1240 |
While a store brand, Natural Grocers is one of a the few store brands that was fully transparent with Cornucopia’s investigators. Their eggs are supplied by a trusted brand who was also fully transparent with Cornucopia.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1240 | 4-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 75 | Multiple farms supply this brand, which is family owned and operated |
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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 | 90 | Natural Grocers only markets organic eggs, but supplier produces both organic & conventional eggs (without split production on the same property) |
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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 | 60 | American Humane Certified (AHC); Non-GMO Project Verified, CA SEFS Compliant, Certified by Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) (pasture raised), United Egg Producers(UEP), Whole Foods Market verified |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 45 | The majority of suppliers have flock sizes less than 20k birds, with a small number of farms with over 20k birds |
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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 | 60 | Fixed housing barns; a small number of suppliers use aviary barns; large number of popholes that are big enough to encourage hens exiting (both sides of barn) |
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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 | 1.2 square feet allotted per hen |
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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 | 100 | 108 square feet brand standard per hen (total over lifetime as layer) |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 75 | Outdoor area is not rotated; brand standard is to maintain 90% vegetation, including shrubs and trees |
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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 | 60 | Typical age is 18 weeks |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 90 | Enrichments provided indoors and outdoors |
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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 | Hens are beak-tipped; induced molting is not allowed |
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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 | 75 | Brand supplies organic pullets to it's contractors, which are organic prior to the second day of life |
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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 | 90 | Death rate below 5%; spent hens are sold live for food |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 75 | Brand standard to adhere to pasture management standards (trimming weeds, maintaining a stable height of vegetation, avoiding overgrazing, no tillage in the pasture area, no synthetic applications); manure is sold or composted |
| Feed Sourcing | 75 | Own feed mill with locally sources feed; purity of grain is determined at the mill before it is received |
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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 | 80 | Excellent animal welfare benchmark |
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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 | 100 | Full and open transparency |
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Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies. Soy free and/or gluten free? | Layers are fed gluten and soy, but this brand does carry other eggs that are soy-free | |
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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) | QCS (Quality Certification Services) and OnMark Certification Services | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
