Organic Prairie Frequently Asked Questions

Organic Prairie® Hardwood Smoked Ham

What is Organic Prairie hardwood smoked ham?

Organic Prairie hardwood smoked ham, offering delicious, ancestral taste, is a boneless pork roast made from the hind quarter of a humanely raised, free-range, heirloom breed organic hog. Our ham comes from the same cooperative of family farmers that has been providing you with delicious organic products under the Organic Valley label since 1988. The ham is marinated for just the right time to flavor it in a solution of water, sea salt, and organic spices and honey. After marinating, the ham is fully cooked by a process of hardwood smoking over a blend of oak, hickory, ash, and apple wood coals. The smokehouse where our hams are prepared is an old world smokehouse managed by the fifth generation of the founding family.

What makes Organic Prairie's pork organic?

Succulent Organic Prairie fresh and frozen organic pork is made from humanely raised, heirloom variety organic hogs produced by cooperative family farmers working in harmony with nature.

• The USDA organic standards are the strictest food production standards in the world. Certified organic farms are required to follow the USDA's National Organic Standards www.ams.usda.gov/nop, and are regularly inspected by an independent third party.
• Organic Prairie farmers never use antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or synthetic pesticides in production. For hogs, this is from the last third of gestation.
• During their entire lives the hogs receive only 100% certified organic feed and pasture.
• Certified feed is grown on land not treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years.
• Organic hogs and are never confined and have regular access to the outdoors. They are bedded in organic straw with plenty of room to move around and express the natural behaviors of hogs.
• Organic animals must not be genetically modified organisms and cannot be fed genetically modified organisms. Organic standards prohibit genetic engineering of animals and their feed.
• All spices and ingredients used are approved by the USDA's National Organic Program.

What is the difference between "organic," "natural," and "pastured" meat?

It is a common misconception that "natural" or "pastured" meat is the same thing as "organic" meat. This is not the case. Significant differences exist between the three. Certified organic farms are required to follow strict standards from the USDA's National Organic Standards and are inspected by an independent third party each year for compliance. 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 meats.

Is organic meat safe?

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

• The USDA organic standards set forth regularly audited practices leading to superior health and living conditions of organic animals, 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 a third party audit for Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure a safe 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 meat is traceable back to a lot. Each lot is traceable back to the farm 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.

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

• Organic pork is an excellent source of high density protein produced without added potentially harmful chemicals.
• Pork provides six essential vitamins: Thiamin, 65% RDA, Riboflavin, 22% RDA, Niacin, 47% RDA, Vitamin B6, 24% RDA, Vitamin B12, 38% RDA, and Pantothenate, 10% RDA, and four important minerals: Phosphorous, 22% RDA, Magnesium, 10% RDA, Iron, 9% RDA, and Zinc, 36% RDA.

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

What are good uses for Organic Prairie organic ham?

Rich, juicy organic pork is a perennial favorite in the American diet. Ham is a traditional holiday favorite, and a wonderful food to eat and then prepare again for such pleasing concoctions as ham and cheese sandwiches, scalloped potatoes and ham, ham salad sandwiches, omelets, and as a base for a variety of soups. Our Spiral Cut Bone-In Half Ham is the perfect indulgence for an attractive and nutritious holiday meal. Our Organic Hardwood Smoked Sliced Ham is perfect for lunch boxes, summer picnics, festive gatherings, and quick, pleasing meals.

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 varieties of Organic Prairie organic ham are available?

Fresh :

• Hardwood Smoked Sliced Ham, 6 oz.
• Hardwood Smoked Bone-In Spiral Cut Half Ham, variable weights

Frozen:

• Hardwood Smoked Boneless Half Ham, variable weights

What does the "freeze by" date mean?

The "freeze by" date is the date by which it is safe to freeze a fresh meat product for later use. Thawed meat should be cooked and eaten immediately.

Organic Prairie: The Trusted Source for Organic Meat

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