Organic Prairie® Organic Chicken

What makes Organic Prairie's chicken organic?

Healthful, wholesome, and humanely raised Organic Prairie chicken is produced by cooperative family farmers working in harmony with nature.

• Our farmer-owned cooperative has been producing organic meats since 1997, according to practices that meet and often exceed USDA's National Organic Standards www.ams.usda.gov/nop, giving us confidence is saying we represent the gold-standard in organic meat production.
• Our certified organic farms are annually inspected by independent third party agencies.
• Organic Prairie farmers never use antibiotics, or synthetic hormones or pesticides in production. For chickens, organic management starts the first day out of the egg.
• Our chickens receive only 100% certified organic feed, grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years.
• Organic Prairie chickens are allowed to express natural behaviors such as scratching and hunting for bugs, and have regular access to the outdoors.
• We prohibit the use of cloned livestock in our flocks. Our birds are fed only certified organic feed and no genetically modified organisms (GMO's).
• All spices and ingredients used in our products are approved for organic processing by the USDA's National Organic Program and certified organic whenever possible.

What are the health benefits of eating Organic Prairie's organic chicken?

• Eating organic chicken is an excellent way of minimizing risk of exposure to antibiotics and synthetic pesticides, as well as the harmful bacteria that are more likely to be found in meat produced in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's).
• Lean organic chicken is a very good source of high density, low fat protein, and a good source of selenium, zinc, niacin, Vitamin E, betacarotene, and Vitamins B6 and B12.
• Meat products from chickens allowed access to the outdoors has 21% less total fat, 30% less saturated fat, 28% fewer calories, 50% more vitamin A, and 100% more omega-3 fatty acid than from chickens not allowed outdoor access (USDA Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education Program).

For more information on the health benefits of eating organic chicken see the Health & Nutrition links in the Resource Section at www.organicvalley.coop.

What is the difference between "organic," "natural," and "free-range" chicken?

It is a common misconception that "natural" or "free-range" chicken is the same thing as "organic" chicken. This is not the case. Significant differences exist among the three. Certified organic farms are required to follow the strict standards of USDA's National Organic Program. The organic certification process is the "guarantee" to consumers these rules are being followed. There are no such standards or inspections for natural, pastured, and conventional chicken.

Is organic chicken safe?

Organic meat is the safest choice because it comes from healthy animals raised on healthy land.

• Our regularly audited practices lead to superior animal health and living conditions for our organic chickens, a primary component in food safety.
• All Organic Prairie meats are processed at federally inspected plants which are certified for organic production by a third party organic certifier accredited by the National Organic Program of the USDA.
• We visit and audit all plants regularly to ensure they meet our strict quality standards, and in addition, each plant undergoes an annual third party audit for Animal Welfare and Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure a safe and humane processing environment.
• Each lot of our product undergoes rigorous microbial testing far beyond that required by the USDA before shipping to ensure it meets our own quality standards.
• Each unit of Organic Prairie meat is traceable back to a lot. Each lot is traceable back to the farms of origin, and the Farm Plan required by the National Organic Program allows the specific animals included in the lot to be identified and traced back to hatching.

Why are our hot dogs described as "uncured?"

USDA's definition of "cured" meats are those to which synthetic nitrates and nitrites have been added in the form of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate. When those synthetic nitrates land nitrites are not used, the meat must be labeled "uncured."

Organic Prairie Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs are "cured," but with a curing process that uses the nitrates naturally present in celery juice (and many other vegetables), a lactic acid starter culture, and salt. During the old-fashioned process of wood-smoking, the naturally occurring nitrates in the celery juice are converted to nitrites through a lactic acid fermentation process.

Nitrites, naturally occurring or synthetic, serve a vital public health function of blocking the growth of dangerous bacteria in processed meats, and give "cured" meats their characteristic color and flavor.

What is High Pressure Processing?

High Pressure Processing is a physical treatment approved for use in organic food processing. Cooked, packaged meats are placed in a water chamber where very high pressure is applied, killing any residual bacteria without use of high heat, chemicals, or irradiation. HPP can extend shelf-life without compromising food safety in foods manufactured without use of chemical preservatives. High pressure does not diminish flavor, texture, or nutritional content.

What is Individually Quick Frozen (IQF)?

Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) is the process of quickly freezing individual pieces of meat prior to packaging. Immediately following processing the meat is placed on a conveyor moving through a tunnel in which extremely cold air is flowing. The IQF process results in enhanced retention of flavor by the rapid removal of heat, allows the pieces to hold their shape through freezing and storage, and prevents the individual pieces from sticking together in packaging.

What are good uses for Organic Prairie organic chicken?

Organic Prairie whole young chickens make pleasing meals to feed the family, and even guests. Whole chickens can be roasted with stuffing, fried to crisp perfection, stewed to make everyone's favorite chicken noodle soup, or grilled on a rotisserie. Our ground chicken is a versatile food that can be used in all the same ways as ground beef - for variety or to lower the fat content of a favorite meal. Our boneless skinless chicken breast is wonderful marinated and grilled, or sliced into a healthy stir-fry or chicken enchiladas. Our chicken Italian sausage is delicious on the grill, or included in your favorite Italian dishes such as spaghetti or lasagna. Our chicken hot dogs make for great summer cook outs, and quick and pleasing meals any time. Our Roast Chicken Breast slices make healthy lunches and picnics a snap.

What varieties of Organic Prairie organic chicken are available?

Fresh

• Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs, 12 oz.
• Sliced Roast Chicken Breast, 6 oz.

Frozen

• Whole Young Chickens
• Ground Chicken, 12 oz. chub
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, variable weight
• IQF Boneless Chicken Breasts, 2 lb.
• Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs, 10.5 oz.
• Chicken Italian Sausage, 12 oz. package.

We care for the earth while bringing you the highest quality food