Pasture Raised Eggs

An egg produced by a hen that’s raised on pasture is a nutrient powerhouse. Few other foods match the nutrient density in a pasture-raised egg. First are the egg whites, which are loaded with protein and essential amino acids. Then there is the massive nutritional value of egg yolks.

Absolutely. Egg yolks from pasture-raised eggs are significantly better than commercially-produced eggs. They have far higher levels of folate, vitamin B12, and choline than commercially produced eggs. Pasture-raised egg yolks are also rich in vitamins A, D, E and K. Much of this richness is not found in egg whites.

Many of us make an effort to buy healthier food when we shop, and that includes the eggs we buy. But eggs purchased from a grocery store can have misleading labels. Terms like “free-range” and “cage free” simply mean the chickens have access to the outdoors, but rarely actually go outdoors. Most are in static houses that are not movable.

Our pasture-raised chickens live in portable houses that are moved frequently. This is important because most of the nutrients the chickens need to produce healthy eggs comes from the plants they forage on and the insects and worms they eat. Only chickens that are moved frequently, on pasture, have this ability.

In short, cracking the nutritional potential of pasture-raised eggs comes down to knowing what your food ate, and then making your purchasing decisions accordingly. The key to finding true pasture-raised eggs is to buy from a local, trusted source, like Artza Mendi Farm.

Our pasture-raised eggs are available at Azuluna Farms in Woodstock, Stone Acres Farm in Stonington, and Willamantic Food Coop in Willamantic.