Our organic birds are ahead of the flock!
Not only have they met a strict set of organic standards, but we also work closely with our chicken producers to ensure birds are certified to the Global Animal Partnership’s 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Program.
This tiered welfare program rates how chickens are raised using independent, third-party certifiers who audit every farm and assess their compliance to the different Step level standards.
In order to achieve Step certification, each producer needs to meet approximately 100 different standards covering everything from animal health and management, to housing and outdoor conditions, and handling and 
transport.
For example, birds with access to the outdoors (Step-Rated 3) must be given shade and places to hide from hawks and other aerial predators, so they feel comfortable being outdoors and get to enjoy roaming around outside the barn.
At Step 4 (pasture-based), birds live continuously on pasture or in foraging areas and are only housed at night or when seasonal conditions might put them at risk.
These are just a couple of examples of what’s required to be a Step-rated bird.
Read this blog post to learn all about the different step levels for chicken.
Have you tried our organic chicken yet?
Whether succulently roasted, flame kissed out on the grill or fried to golden, gastronomic perfection, our organic birds always fly off the table. Friday, February 17th, is the perfect time to try one and take advantage of a great deal as Whole Foods Market organic whole chickens are on sale for one day only.