Frequently Asked Questions
Read through the answers to these frequently asked questions to find out more about certified organic farming, organic meat standards, our network of Certified Organic farmers, our product range and much more.
What is Certified Organic farming?
Certified Organic Farming means farming in a way that cares for the environment, without the use of any synthetic chemicals or other unnatural interventions such as added hormones.
All Organic Rancher meat products are USDA certified organic, which means we take care of the environment and animal welfare, without genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, added hormones or synthetic chemicals. Our cattle are notadministered MRNA vaccines.
Does Certified Organic also mean free range and grass fed?
Yes, the USDA Certified Organic standard requires livestock to ALWAYS be free range as part of the organic certification standard.
What are the standards for certified organic meat?
You and your family can enjoy Organic Rancher products knowing they are Certified Organic. That means our meat is sourced from animals that are:
- raised on free range ranches that are audited annually to make sure they comply with organic standards
- weaned using stress-free methods
- fed on organic pastures and supplements
- not exposed to synthetic pesticides or herbicides
- never administered antibiotics
- never administered growth hormones
- never administered MRNA vaccines
What are the health benefits of certified organic grass fed meat?
Certified organic grass fed meat has
- No synthetic chemical residues
- No GMOs
- No added hormones
- No antibiotics
According to The Mayo Clinic, when compared to other types of beef, organic grass fed beef may have:
- more heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acids
- less total fat
- more antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E
- more conjugated linoleic acid, a type of fat that’s thought to reduce heart disease and cancer risks.
How do I know Organic Rancher meat is Organic?
All our Certified Organic beef products carry the USDA Certified Organic logo. This tells you that our product has been approved by the leading organic certification body, USDA Certified Organic. To comply with these standards, all our animals have verified lifetime organic traceability and are audited annually. Learn about the USDA Organic standards here.
How do I know Organic Rancher meat is Free Range?
All Organic Rancher meat comes from cattle that are raised entirely in a free range environment.
Grass fed and finished, all our Organic Rancher cattle are free to graze beautiful organic pastures. Happy animals, living as nature intended.
What do the animals eat?
Our Organic Rancher livestock roam and graze on natural pastures from start to finish, with access to sunlight and fresh clean water.
Why is the meat so red after I open it?
Organic Rancher meat is vacuum sealed in the package, which removes the oxygen and turns the meat a dark purple color. When the package is opened, the meat is exposed to oxygen and it turns bright red.
Why isn’t there a pull-tab on the packages?
The vacuum sealed tamper resistant packages do require cutting to open but are ideal to preserve the safety and freshness of the meat.
Is pink slime used?
Organic Rancher does not use slime of any kind; our ground beef is 100% beef.
Can I buy bulk directly?
No, we do not provide mail order service and only sell to Whole Foods.
How long is the beef good for after I purchase?
The “Use or Freeze By / Lot #” date printed on the back packaging label represents 28 days of freshness for ground beef and 30 days of freshness for steaks from the day the product was packaged.
If you decide to freeze your steak on day 15, for example, you should have about 15 days after it’s thawed to use it.
Is your product made with allergens present?
- Our processing facility makes some products that contain the following allergens: Dairy, Sesame, Soy, and Wheat (Gluten)
- Organic Rancher does not handle the following allergens: Egg, Peanut, Tree Nut, Fish, or Crustacean Shellfish
- Allergen containing products are scheduled to be run last on shared equipment
- Organic Rancher performs daily sanitation and routine allergen testing.
