Our Farms
How many family farms do you work with? Where are they located?
We have nearly 300 independent, family-owned and operated farms in our network. These are small, free-range farms usually run by two parents and their kids. We are very proud of the fact that our company can provide a realistic living for those families that still want to farm in a world of industrial-scale agriculture.
Our network currently spans the Northeast and Midwest, and we're always expanding our reach. If you're interested in joining our farm network, please complete our farmer application form.
Our Eggs
What are free-range eggs?
Simply put, free-range eggs are laid by free-range hens! Each of our partner farms follows the Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) Certified Humane Free Range standards. Being free-range means that during most times of the day and year, our hens are free to roam outside as they please.
Are Nellie's eggs organic?
No. Our free-range hens are fed conventional grain from reputable suppliers, but we cannot guarantee that this feed is free of pesticides or GMOs, and therefore, it cannot be considered organic. Our eggs are a great choice for customers who would like eggs from hens treated with kindness and to the Certified Humane Free-Range standard but at a lower cost than organic eggs. However, our sister brand, Pete & Gerry's, offers another option for customers who are concerned about pesticides and GMOs. They offer Pete & Gerry's Free-Range Organic eggs. These hens are fed exclusively organic grain, which is free of pesticides or GMOs. Our organic eggs are a little more expensive because of the feed costs, but we feel it is a fair price to bring organic eggs to market without shortcuts. You can find out more about Pete & Gerry’s eggs here.
Where can I buy Nellie's Free Range Eggs?
We're proud to say that our eggs are sold in grocery stores, supermarkets, health food stores, and other locations nationwide. Please check our store locator for a store near you.
Can I eat Nellie's eggs past the expiration date?
Unfortunately, we cannot recommend that you eat our eggs after the date printed on the packaging. In general, we use a “use by” date on our cartons. This means that the eggs should be consumed on or before that date. Use of a “sell by” date is not federally required but may be required by certain states. If your carton does specify “sell by” near the printed date, then the eggs can be consumed within 15 days of that date.
Our hens
What does free-range mean?
Each of our partner farms follows the Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) Certified Humane Free Range standards. Being free-range means that during most times of the day and year, our hens are free to roam outside as they please. This is very different from cage-free, which typically does not involve any amount of outdoor access. We do have to ensure that our free-range hens are safe from predators and disease, so we can't allow them outside if ground predators such as foxes or coyotes are seen in the immediate area. During migratory bird season, we protect our birds from exposure to diseases such as avian mites or avian flu. On rainy or cold days, our hens enjoy dust bathing and socializing in their spacious hen houses.
What is cage-free? Is it the same thing as free-range?
Not at all! Cage-free does represent an incremental improvement over the current industry practice of battery cages where hens can’t move. But despite the name, Cage Free is still caged. The new aviary systems being rushed to market to meet cage-free demand are gigantic floor-to-ceiling metal enclosures full of layers, catwalks, and doors. It’s a bit better of a life than not being able to move, but the hens never see the outside, and these are still very much factory farms with all the inhumane practices intact. Check out this blog post to learn more about the differences between cage-free and free-range.
How many eggs does a hen lay per day?
It's right around 1 per day for most. A flock will average around 307 eggs per hen over the first 52 weeks of laying. This will decrease a bit as the hens age.
Our butter
What does “slow-churned” butter mean?
Slow churning refers to the amount of time it takes to produce the butter from cream. A slower churning process like ours, which takes roughly an hour, yields butter with a softer, richer, creamier texture and flavor. Butter churned at higher speeds tends to lose those qualities before it's even packaged.
Is your butter Kosher?
Our butter is OU-D Certified. You can learn more about this Kosher certification here.
Is your butter gluten-free?
Although our cows consume grains like barley occasionally, the gluten proteins in our cows' diet do not end up in their milk in the same form, which means that our butter is gluten-free.
Are your butter wrappers recyclable?
The box that holds our butter is made from recycled paper and can be recycled. Waxy butter wrappers like the ones you'll find on our butter sticks, unfortunately, cannot be recycled. However, they can be used in a variety of ways, such as for greasing baking pans or for wrapping homemade candies (they should be washed beforehand). The wrappers are also a great resting place for dirty tools while you're cooking and will make cleaning up a breeze!
Our Cows
What do Nellie's cows eat?
For the most part, our cows are grass-fed! While grass-fed is not an industry-regulated term for butter, it means that grass makes up the majority of our cows' diet.
Our dairy farms are independently audited to ensure that the cows are given ample access to green, grassy pastures. This usually amounts to each cow being on pasture at least 175 days (about five and a half months) of the year, though our farmers try to bring them out to pasture daily so long as the weather permits. And because a completely grass-fed diet isn't feasible in most climates, our partner farmers work closely with nutritionists to ensure the cows are getting all the nutrients they need with the help of additional grains such as barley, corn, alfalfa grown by the farmers and fermented into silage.
This guarantees our gals have everything they need to remain healthy and produce high-quality milk all year long.
Where are Nellie's dairy farms located?
We currently work with 100+ small family-owned American dairy farms located in Ohio.
How many cows are in your herds?
The largest family farm in our network has about 200 cows, while the smallest has around 20.
What happens when the cows are no longer producing milk?
Once a cow stops producing milk, she is typically sold to follow-on markets. Farmers will occasionally keep a retired cow or two to live out their lives on the farm, but more often than not, the humane choice is to sell the cow for meat. There are strict guidelines for this process outlined both in the FARM program manual and regulated by law. USDA representatives are present at all meat facilities, and the animal's comfort is a priority throughout the process. The humane treatment of these animals is important not only while they are on the dairy farm but also during their travel and their time at the meat facility.
All this being said, pasture-raised dairy cows like ours often have a longer lifespan, as the fields are easier on their feet, and they are less prone to some illnesses, such as mastitis. Cows also really enjoy being outdoors, just like our chickens do, and those with access to the outdoors tend to live happier, low-stress lives.
Other
Press inquiries
For press inquiries, please contact peteandgerrys@inkhouse.com
