Organic, but are they “free-range”?

It would make sense logically, that our food packaging would tell us what is inside.  Right?  And, you would you think that it would also give you the details behind the food – How did it get there?  Where did it come from?  How old is it?

Well, I used to buy the Kirkland brand Organic Eggs from Costco (before I found a local farmer with eggs and before I had chickens laying 6 eggs a DAY!!).  The Kirkland eggs come in an 18-pack for $4.99 (a good price!) and the carton is standard cardboard and clearly states the eggs are certified ORGANIC – but, there is nothing else.  I had questions.  I wanted to know where the eggs came from (the actual farm’s location), whether or not they were free-range and what their organic diets actually consisted of.  The carton only had a distribution location in Kirkland, Washington by Costco Wholesale and a phone number to call.

So, what’s your trusty, bloggin’ lady going to do?

Call that toll-free number and ask for more info of course!

One-ringy-dingy…  Two-ringy-dingy…

Costco is a HUGE company.  I was calling a 1-800-number and the people who answered were going to live who knows where – maybe Timbuktu.  I was pleasantly surprised to actually talk to a person and I just about fell off my chair when I explained my situation, provided the Costco item number (you are lost without this!) and was quickly given ALL the information about my eggs!  Can you believe it?  I was floored and giddy with excitement.

Tah dah! Here’s what I found out –

All of Costco’s Organic eggs come from two ranches in California.  The chickens are completely free-range and fed a 100% organic diet that consists of blended grain feed.  The eggs are certified organic by the National Organic Program.

In today’s day and age, I really prefer to talk to a farmer directly and touch the cows that are giving you the milk or rub up against the stalks growing your sweet corn.  But, the customer service that Costco provided has surpassed my expectations – both with the quality of their product and the information behind it.  It never hurts to make a phone call and ask.

Side note: Yes, I got the information.  Yes, I know what the chickens eat and that their living arrangements are classified as “free-range”.  But, I can’t meet them.  I can’t hear them.  And, I don’t know how long it’s been since those eggs left the chickens and made it to the cooler in my local store.  And, because the legal, government definition of “free-range” is lose at best, it’s just not the same as these two trusty eyes and what I can see for myself in my own backyard or the farm down the road.