The delicious beauty of a truly free-range egg. Darcy Harvey waxes eloquent on the the magnificent free-range eggs available locally from Moody Meats and Heartland Eggs:
The second you crack that speckled brown shell and drop the plump
orange yolk into butter sizzling on the bottom of the frying pan you
can tell that this egg is different, this is not your average
“ping-pong ball” egg- this egg has been grass fed.
Grass-fed/pastured hens are raised on pasture,
as opposed to being kept in confinement and fed primarily grains (corn
and soybeans). Eggs from pastured hens contain up to 20 times more
healthy omega-3 fatty acids than those of their less fortunate cousins,
factory hens. Pastured hens’ diets are naturally complemented with
bugs, earthworms, and other such critters that give their eggs a huge
nutritious boost. Pastured hens are usually much healthier and happier
than their space-restricted and antibiotic-pumped industrial
counterparts.
Pasturing is the traditional method of raising
egg-laying hens and other poultry. It is ecologically sustainable,
humane, and produces the tastiest, most nutritious eggs. Pastured eggs
have roughly 10 percent less fat, 40 percent more vitamin A, and 34
percent less cholesterol than eggs obtained from factory farms.
To ensure that you are getting the tastiest eggs, know your farmer and
their farming practices. Moody Meats and Heartland Farms are two
shining examples of excellent pastured eggs. You can get your paws on
Moody eggs only at Bloomingfoods, and Heartland’s eggs at the Winter
and Summer Farmer’s Markets.
photo credit: Deann Barrera |
