WASHINGTON – The American Humane Association, creator of the first and largest third-party farm animal welfare certification program, announced that Handsome Brook Farm’s pasture raised eggs have achieved the status of American Humane Certified. Handsome Brook currently produces eggs in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky and Virginia.
Handsome Brook organic and non-GMO, pasture raised eggs are available at more than 4,000 retail locations throughout the country including Kroger, Publix, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Wegman’s and other independent and natural retail stores. The company is the only 100 percent pasture-raised egg provider certified by American Humane Association.
"Animal welfare is at the core of what we do," said Betsy Babcock, who, with her husband Bryan, founded Handsome Brook Farm. "It is undeniable that the marketplace is saturated with misleading labels. We want our customers to be assured that the quality of our eggs is derived from our hens' quality of life. American Humane Association certification provides that assurance to our customers. Handsome Brook Farm meets the American Humane Certified program's rigorous pasture standards requirement of 108 sq. ft. of pasture per hen, as well as other science-based welfare standards such as protection from inclement weather and predators. Pasture raised eggs are a growing segment of the US egg production systems."
American Humane Association’s most recent “Humane Heartland Farm Animal Survey” stated that over nine in 10 (94.9 percent) Americans polled said they were “very concerned” about the welfare of farm animals, up from 89 percent in the 2013 survey. More than 75 percent stated they are willing to pay more for products from humanely raised animals, up from 74 percent in 2013.
"The welfare of America's egg-laying hens is a top priority for millions of consumers," said Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's president and CEO. "And pasture raised eggs are growing in popularity and one of three different egg production styles our American Humane Certified program certifies. We are pleased that Handsome Brook Farm has made the humane choice and achieved certification through our American Humane Certified program."
