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FAQs About the Certified Organic Meat We Deliver:

Below are the answers to questions about Field Gate Organics meat. On the left are links to questions and answers about our meat receiving and handling, pricing and position on questions of the ethics of meat.

About Field Gate Organics Meat:

Where was the meat raised?
Is all of Field Gate Organics' meat certified organic?
When and where are the animals slaughtered?
What were the animals fed?
Are the animals confined to small spaces or free to roam?
Can I order a quarter of a cow?
Can I order a special cut?

Where was the meat raised?

Over 90% of the farms are located in Ontario, mostly Southwestern Ontario. All of the pork and lamb and 90% of the beef are raised here. Due to supply issues, about a quarter of their chicken is sourced from Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

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Is all of Field Gate Organics' meat certified organic?

Yes, with the exception of the bacon and cured ham. Though the meat is certified organic, the bacon and ham processed end products are not certified. This is because the facility where the products are made is not certified and also because not all of the ingredients are certified organic. Sodium nitrate is an ingredient in the bacon and ham.

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When and where are the animals slaughtered?

Field Gate Organics' meat processing plant is located in Ingersoll, Ontario. Every week, pigs, cows and lambs are slaughtered there. Chickens are slaughtered at another plant as per Canadian Food Inspection Agency standards.

If you would like more information about Field Gate Organics please visit their very informative website.

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What were the animals fed?

It depends on the farm. Field Gate Organics is a collective comprised of just over 50 small farms, all of which are certified organic. All Field Gate Organics' beef is 90% grass-fed and finished on grain - some of their farmers do raise 100% grass fed and we will endeavour to update customers on its availability. One of the principles/regulations of certified organic animal farming is that the animals must be provided with natural living conditions, which includes the ability to graze. Organic feed is commercially available and is used to supplement grazing, but many of these farms will be growing their own food to feed their animals. Certified organic animal farming regulations also excludes the use of growth hormones or any type of drugs including antibiotics and doesn't allow for animal by-products to be used in feed. Field Gate Organics have pioneered a tracking and traceability program - the first in Canada - that can track and label each cut of meat to the individual animal. You'll notice the serial number on their packages (except for the chicken) - should you wish, you can contact them, provide that number and they can provide you with the farm the animal was raised on, its history and including the food it consumed.

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Are the animals confined to small spaces or free to roam?

Organic farmers raising livestock and poultry treat their animals humanely by providing natural living conditions and ample outdoor access for grazing and exercise. The farms in the Field Gate Organics collective are largely small-scale family affairs including lots of Mennonite run farms. These are people who practice the principles of organic farming through and through, which means proper shelter, large grazing spaces and constant access to clean water. The farms are not using chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or chemical fertilizers in their fields and they are not using GMO seed or any other biotechnology.

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Can I order a quarter of a cow?

No. Front Door Organics is not selling meat shares or large cuts, though we may consider requests for other Field Gate Organics' meat cuts that we currently are not listing. If you are interested in a meat share or large portions, please contact a certified organic farm directly.

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Can I order a special cut?

FDO is not a butcher and we are not processing the meat in any way. We are simply selling Field Gate Organics' products. Should you wish to have a special cut we recommend visiting your local certified organic butcher.

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