Where do I begin looking for a local farm to purchase milk and eggs?

Question

I really don't like the idea of purchasing dairy products from mass market farms, and I'd like to start buying eggs, cheese and milk from local farms, but don't know where to begin. I searched the yellow pages in my area and surrounding areas, but the only farm listed was for fishing.

Also, I've been buying Eggland's Best cage free eggs... but I've been told that the chickens are still not treated humanely because US standards don't enforce rules on packaging eggs... how can I tell if they are truly free range or not?

Answer 1

It's true, even if the eggs are labeled cage free the hens still might be living in deplorable conditions. Only way you can know is if you know the farmer yourself. If you go to a farmers market you might ask one of the egg sellers if you can visit their farm and if they're nice enough they might...

Answer 2

Go to your local farmers markets, and ask them where you can find local eggs and dairy. Local health food stores should know of farms in your area too. Also look for vegetarian groups in your area.

I'm a lacto-ove vegetarian myself.

Answer 3

oh who cares, just buy normal people food and eat it.

Answer 4

The best thing to avoid inhumane animal practices is to go vegan.  But most people aren't ready to do that so I will suggest a great site that I just stumbled upon today: http://www.localharvest.org/ .

If you look at the right hand side of the page you can put in your zip code (only in the USA) and even the type of product you're looking for.  There are listings for small, organic, sustainable, and "humane" farms.  They even have listings for local CSAs which I'm just starting to get into.  That website is a great resource.  I suggest you surf around their site for a more ethical animal product.

Answer 5

Farm fresh eggs is the best choice you could ever make. They look completely different and I guarantee the first time you crack open a farm egg you will be stunned at the rich orange color and stiff yolk. I found my local dairy because I live next to it, and I found the egg man by going to the local farmer's market.

There is no way to tell if your eggs are truly cage free unless you watch them being raised. All the more reason to find something local. Plus, chickens lay eggs basically every day, which means it is hard to run out of eggs, and they have a shelf life of about a month.