Free-range farming is crucial for those supporting sustainable and ethical farming and, in turn, sustainable and ethical products. The topic of free-range products goes hand-in-hand with our monthly theme of Health & Wellbeing as there are plenty of benefits to using free-range products.
What is free-range?
Free-range is a term applied to animal-based food products, such as eggs, dairy and meat. This term refers to the way animals are farmed and housed. “Free-range animals are animals that have some access to the outdoors. How much access, how often, and how big the outdoor area is can vary greatly.” Explains RSPCA.
Related: What Is The Difference Between Organic And Non-Organic Foods?
What are free-range eggs?
Free-range eggs come from birds that enjoy unlimited access to outdoor pastures during the daytime. At night, free range birds are kept safe in barns with a maximum of nine birds per square meter. Free-range birds must also have litter to ensure they perform natural behaviours, and this litter must cover at least one-third of the floor surface.
What is free-range dairy?
Unlike free-range eggs, there are no laws in place to define free-range dairy production. However, according to the Free Range Dairy Network, “free range dairy cows should be given the freedom to graze for a minimum of six months a year.” Even though free-range dairy farmers house their cows during the winter months as grass stops growing and the fields are wet and muddy, farmers are still required to maintain a high level of grass in the dairy cows’ diet.
Benefits of free-range food products.
Better quality and better taste.
Animals that move regularly and have a healthy lifestyle result in higher quality produce. This includes meat, dairy and eggs. Free-range meat is better quality as the animal has had a more natural diet which results in lower fat content. Free-range eggs are also often richer and contain more minerals and vitamins inside the yolk.
Happier animals.
Free-range animals are happier. They have better living conditions, are healthier, are able to exercise natural behaviours and are less vulnerable to diseases.
Sustainable and ethical.
Free-range farming is sustainable and ethical. All of these benefits clearly impact the produce itself. So, it comes as no surprise that free-range food products are overall a better choice.
What free-range food products do we offer?
Sauce Shop Original Mayo
Sauce Shop uses pasteurised free-range egg yolks to make their delicious mayonnaises. This also includes Sauce Shop Chipotle Mayo and Sauce Shop Sriracha Mayo.
Lottie Shaw's Sloe Gin Fruit Cake
Lottie Shaw’s uses only the finest ingredients for their products, including free-range eggs, locally milled flour and more. The Lottie Shaw's Sloe Gin Fruit Cake is no exception. This delicious fruit cake is made with delicious ingredients, such as free-range eggs. The indulgent Lottie Shaw Triple Chocolate Biscuits are also made with free-range eggs.
Tiptree Sriracha Mayonnaise
Tiptree’s mayonnaises are made in small batches to offer better quality products. This truffle mayo is made in their nut-free factory using free-range eggs, natural oil, garlic and chilli. No artificial colours or flavours are used. Other delicious free-range Tiptree mayonnaises include Tiptree Truffle Mayonnaise and Tiptree Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise.
Other fine foods inclusive of free-range products are also available. Browse our shop today to view our full selection of products available at Springvale Foods today.