Where to Buy Pasture Raised Chicken Near Me

In recent years, pasture-raised chicken has become more popular because it has many advantages over conventionally raised chicken. Birds that are raised on pastures are free to move around on the pastures and eat grass, seeds, and bugs. When compared to chickens raised in crowded indoor facilities, these chickens are healthier, happier, and lay more nutritious meat and eggs.

If you want to start enjoying the superior flavor and nutrition of pasture raised chicken you may be wondering where you can find it near you. Here are some tips on where to look and what to look for when buying pasture raised chicken close to home

Check Local Farmer’s Markets

Farmer’s markets are a great place to find local, pasture raised meats like chicken Get to know the farmers and ask them questions about how they raise their chickens Look for farmers that give their chickens continuous outdoor access, move them frequently to fresh pasture, and don’t use antibiotics or hormones. The chicken should be processed at a local butcher so it’s fresh, not frozen. Shopping at farmer’s markets supports small, local farms in your community.

Look for CSAs That Offer Pastured Chicken

CSA stands for community supported agriculture With a CSA, you buy a share in advance and receive regular deliveries of seasonal farm products like pasture raised meats, produce, and eggs. Some CSAs offer whole pastured chickens, packages of chicken parts, or ground chicken This is a convenient way to get ultra-local pastured chicken straight from a farm to your doorstep on an ongoing basis.

Check With Local Specialty Butchers

Many local butchers partner with small farms in their area to sell pastured meats. Look for butchers that work with farms raising chickens on pasture without antibiotics or hormones. They may carry whole birds as well as cuts like breasts, thighs, and drumsticks. You can ask questions about the source and discuss custom orders too.

Search Online Direct From Farms

More and more small farms are selling their pastured chicken directly to consumers online. Search for terms like “pastured chicken delivery near me” or “pasture raised chicken online.” Be sure to read about their farming practices to ensure the chickens live outdoors on pasture. Many farms ship frozen chicken packed with dry ice right to your door. Buying online is convenient and expands your options beyond just local farms.

Check Health Food Stores and Co-ops

Some natural health food stores and food co-ops sell pastured chicken from local farms. Look for whole birds as well as breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, and ground chicken that don’t have any bones in them. Ask the store workers where the chicken came from and how it was raised. Some butcher shops may even be able to make special orders for you.

Look for Pastured Chicken At Restaurants

More and more chefs are looking for high-quality ingredients from nearby farms, like pastured chicken. Check the menus and ask restaurants if they get any of their meat or eggs from birds that are raised freely. Some may even list the farms they work with. You can then look into buying directly from those farms.

Review Product Labels Carefully

When shopping in grocery stores, read chicken product labels closely. Look for labels like “pasture raised” and certifications like Certified Humane, Animal Welfare Approved, and American Grassfed. Don’t assume “natural” or “free-range” means pasture raised. Contact companies to ask for specifics on how their chickens are raised if it’s unclear.

Join a Buying Club

Joining a cow or chicken share buying club lets you split bulk orders of meat from farms with other families to save money. Club members coordinate large orders and distributions. This increases access to locally raised, pastured chicken that may be too expensive for one family to buy independently.

Check Online Listings of Pastured Producers

There are some great online databases listing farms across the U.S. that sell pastured meats. For example, Eatwild.com has an extensive listing of pasture based farms searchable by state and product. Other sites like LocalHarvest.org and WestonAPrice.org have similar pastured producer directories.

Talk to Other Pastured Chicken Buyers

Connect with friends, family, or coworkers that buy pastured chicken. Ask where they get it from and if they’re happy with the quality, taste, and price. Word of mouth can be a great way to discover new sources for high-quality, local pasture raised chicken.

Be Willing to Expand Your Search Area

You may need to expand your search area beyond just your immediate vicinity to find more pastured chicken suppliers. While it’s ideal to buy as locally as possible, don’t limit yourself to only the closest farms. High-quality, pasture raised chicken can be worth driving a bit farther or having it shipped from another part of your state.

Consider Splitting a Whole Chicken

Whole pastured chickens are often more economical than buying individual parts. Consider splitting a whole chicken with a friend or neighbor. You each get your preferred cuts, save money, and avoid waste. Freezing what you can’t use right away retains freshness too.

Check Frozen Inventory Too

Stores, farms, CSAs, and butcher shops that sell pastured chicken should have frozen chicken. Don’t forget to check that section. Good pasture-raised chicken that is frozen soon after being processed and at its freshest can be just as healthy and tasty as fresh chicken. By adding frozen chicken, you’ll have a better chance of finding pastured chicken near you.

With the growing popularity of pasture raised meats, it’s getting easier to find high-quality sources close to home. Be diligent in your research and ask lots of questions to ensure the chicken was raised humanely on pasture without drugs or hormones. Connecting with ethical local farms provides your family with healthier chicken while supporting more sustainable agriculture. So get out there and start exploring all the options for pastured chicken in your neck of the woods.