A variety of labels are used when raising animals for consumption. We have all been there. You are browsing through the meat section at your local grocery store, and you see labels that sometimes you have never really questioned. Though today, you are asking yourself about the difference between ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ meat products. 

Look no further. Below we dive into sixteen meat varieties to ensure that you understand what the types mean.

Natural: When meat and poultry are labelled as ‘natural,’ they typically are referring to raw meats that have not been altered. In addition, the animal has no bearing on how it was raised.

No Added Hormones: Animals raised with no growth hormones; legally some animals cannot be given hormones, therefore, many farms use this as a marketing tool. 

No Antibiotic Use: The animals are given no antibiotics; therefore, if the animal becomes sick and requires antibiotics, it is no longer sold as antibiotic meat.

No meat/Animal by-products: Animals are fed or raised without animal by-products (beaks, bones, tails, etc.). 

Organic: Organic meats cannot be grown with fertilizers, chemicals, genetically modified, and must be hormone and antibiotic-free. These animals have access to the outdoors and are fed with organic feed. 

Pasture-raised: animals are raised outdoors in a sustainable manner with natural sources for food. They are not forced to be fattened or put into confined locations.

Sustainable: Sustainable meats are essentially meats raised for their local markets while promoting the health of their animals and land. 

100% Vegetarian Feed: Like no meat/animal by-products, vegetarian-fed animals are raised on grasses, hay, silage and other vegetarian feeds.

Artisan Meats: Meats are typically butchered with methods passed down from generations. Artisinal producers work to create the highest quality meat products to ensure that the end consumer is always satisfied.

Biodynamic: Anything with a biodynamic label must be certified by an independent third party. Farmers that grow biodynamic meat products must fulfill specific techniques to produce a suitable environment for their animals.

Cage-Free: As the name hints, these are animals raised without the use of cages. However, these animals are not indicated whether they are grown outdoors or indoors in an overcrowded condition.

Dry Aged: Typically referring to beef, meat is aged up to a month in a refrigerated cooler. This process helps break the meat down and provides a tender product.

Free-Range/ Roaming Running: Although these animals can be roaming 100% free their entire day, that may not be the outcome. Free-range animals typically have access to the outdoors each day but do not confirm they spend their whole day outside.

Grass-Fed: Animals that are grass-fed are raised on a grass diet. Their diet is not supplemented with anything else for the entirety of their life.

Heritage: Heritage farming typically correlates to meats being produced from endangered breeds. Although it may seem as if they are scarce, raising heritage breeds can save animals from extinction.

Local: This is as the name indicates; this groups any meat produced from a local farmer within your area. Many farmers sell directly to the consumer via an onsite shop or online grocery delivery such as DirectFood.Store.

All of the information above has been created into an infographic by sustainabletable.org and can be found here. 

This takes us to our next question. Where can you find the best meat products without worrying about second-guessing labels? DirectFood.store offers a wide variety of meat products that fit all of the humane processes, so you don’t have to reach out further.

As suggested in the Sustainabletable infographic, reaching out to local farmers is typically the best way to ensure you have good quality meats. We have already done that step for you with our ‘Farmer Story’ blogs and our ‘Farm Directory’.

Want to explore a meat section to see options of produced meat varieties so you can try out and see what your favourite is? Check out the DirectFood.Store meat selection!