None of these brands are perfect, but many offer meaningful improvements over conventional factory farming.
Labels like “Natural,” “Farm Fresh,” and “Cage-Free” alone do not always mean high animal welfare.
Usually found at: Kroger and affiliated stores
One of the first brands using in-ovo sexing technology to reduce male chick culling before hatch.
Industry reality: Most egg companies still rely on traditional hatchery systems involving chick culling.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, Wegmans, Walmart
Pasture-raised eggs with stronger welfare standards and more outdoor access than conventional factory-farm eggs.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Wegmans, Kroger, Giant
Certified Humane eggs sourced from smaller family farms.
Usually found at: Walmart, Target, Giant, Wegmans, Publix, Kroger
More mainstream than many humane-focused brands. Not pasture-raised, but some product lines have improved standards compared to conventional factory-farm eggs.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Natural Grocers
Pasture-raised and organic egg company focused on stronger welfare standards than conventional egg systems.
Usually found at: Safeway, Albertsons, Costco (regional)
Regional free-range and pasture-focused egg producer with a stronger welfare reputation.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Wegmans, Target, Walmart
Farmer-owned cooperative with pasture access and organic standards stronger than many conventional dairy systems.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans
100% grass-fed dairy brand focused on pasture-based farming.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Safeway, Sprouts
Regional dairy company known for pasture access and smaller-farm sourcing.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, co-ops
Organic dairy company with strong sustainability and welfare reputation.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Natural Grocers
Grass-fed and pasture-focused dairy with minimal processing.
Usually found at: Wegmans, Whole Foods, Giant, Acme
Known for slower-growing chickens and higher welfare standards than standard supermarket chicken.
Usually found at: Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger
Uses stronger animal welfare sourcing standards than many conventional processed meat brands.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Sprouts, online
One of the few nationally distributed truly pasture-raised chicken brands.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Kroger, Hy-Vee, Fresh Market
Better welfare reputation than conventional supermarket chicken and easier to find in regular grocery chains.
Usually found at: Wegmans, ShopRite, Giant, Acme
Kosher chicken brand with slower processing standards and a somewhat stronger welfare reputation than conventional industrial chicken.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Wegmans, Sprouts
Known for crate-free pork and higher welfare standards than conventional industrial pork systems.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, Natural Grocers
No-antibiotics and crate-free focused pork company.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Market
Humanely raised pork with stronger sourcing standards than conventional industrial pork.
Usually found at: Whole Foods, Sprouts
Regenerative and pasture-focused beef company emphasizing soil health and animal welfare.
Usually found at: Whole Foods and online
Well-known regenerative farm focused on pasture-raised systems.
Usually found: Mostly online/direct delivery
Grass-fed and pasture-raised sourcing focus. Subscription model, but increasingly recognizable nationally.
Usually found at: Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons
No antibiotics or added hormones with stronger welfare standards than conventional beef systems.
Usually found at: Kroger, Publix, Giant, Wegmans
Lean beef brand with somewhat better sourcing and antibiotic standards than conventional beef.
Better options at Walmart: Vital Farms, Organic Valley, Applegate, Stonyfield
Better options at Kroger: Kipster, Vital Farms, Meyer Natural Beef, Smart Chicken
Better options at Wegmans: Bell & Evans, Vital Farms, Organic Valley, Empire Kosher, Niman Ranch
Most U.S. animal products still come from large industrial systems. Choosing pasture-raised, grass-fed, regenerative, Certified Humane, or in-ovo brands can help push the industry toward better practices.
See better restaurant choices for eggs, poultry, beef, pork, dairy, and plant-forward meals.