<p>Pasture-raising animals used to be a way of life for farmers across America, but after World War II, industrial farming caught on and changed the agricultural landscape. Factory farms and industrialized agriculture boomed, covering large portions of land with chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to boost crop production. These methods might have made ingredients more affordable, but it’s come at a health cost for both humans and animals. When animals live in a crowded facility, stand in their own waste, and eat a steady stream of corn that doesn’t support their digestion, there’s a much greater likelihood they’ll need antibiotics due to the increased risk of infection. And if this kind of animal ends up in our weekly meal rotation, its poor health is essentially passed along to us. Fortunately, there’s another way. </p>
<h2>What Is Pasture-Raised?</h2>
<p>Animals that are pasture-raised live their life outdoors, roam freely year-round, and forage for food as nature intended. Pasture-raised doesn’t mean animals like cows and chickens don’t receive any supplemental grain (like during the winter months), so if you’re <a href="https://thrivemarket.com/c/grass-fed-beef"target="_blank">looking for 100 percent grass-fed protein</a>, look for verification from the farmers you’re buying from. </p>
<h2>Benefits of Pasture-Raised</h2>
<p>When animals are pasture-raised, they do a big service to the soil. It can actually regenerate in part when livestock are <a href="https://thrivemarket.com/blog/spotlight-on-thrive-market-pork"target="_blank">rotated throughout the land</a> on a regular basis. This practice, known as rotational grazing, helps the land stay healthy as the animals naturally fertilize, aerate, and prep the soil for regrowth. Rotational grazing can also help reduce the amount of carbon in the soil, which in turn counters the effects of global warming by offsetting the carbon emissions released through activities like deforestation, land clearing, and fossil fuel burning. Pretty amazing, right? </p>
<h2>Top Pasture-Raised Brands</h2>
<p>We’re stocked with lots of brands devoted to the pasture-raised philosophy. Here are our top three.</p>
<h2><a href="https://thrivemarket.com/brand/thrive-market"target="_blank">Thrive Market</a></h2>
<p>When we set out to create our Meat and Seafood program, it was essential to bring on partners dedicated to the practices we believe in like regenerative farming, sustainable fishing, ethical treatment of animals, and rotational grazing. </p>
<h3>Thrive Market Premium Cuts Beef Box</h3>
<p>Our beef is sourced from the Patagonian prairies in Osorno, Chile, one of the few places in the world that allows for year-round grazing. Our cattle are 100 percent grass-fed, 365-days a year.</p>
<h2><a href="https://thrivemarket.com/brand/fatworks-foods"target="_blank">Fatworks Foods</a></h2>
<p>Fatworks loves to educate home cooks about the benefits of using quality cooking oils like lard, tallow, and duck fat. The brand works with a select group of farmers who employ antibiotic-free and pasture-raised practices and allow animals to eat their natural diet.</p>
<h3>Fatworks Foods Pork Lard</h3>

<p>Ketogenic and gluten-free, <a href="https://thrivemarket.com/p/fatworks-foods-pure-lard"target="_blank">pork lard</a> adds extra flavor to your dishes. Use it for frying, sautéing, or even adding to crusts and pastries.</p> 
<h2><a href="https://thrivemarket.com/brand/epic"target="_blank">EPIC</a></h2>
<p>EPIC has been a champion of nose-to-tail cooking from the beginning. Its Whole Animal Project creates economic incentives for ranchers who pasture-raise their livestock, and the brand is committed to grassland restoration and sustainable practices, too.</p>
<h3><a href="https://thrivemarket.com/p/epic-pork-rinds-texas-bbq"target="_blank">EPIC Texas BBQ Pork Rinds</a></h3>
<p>This snack is made from organic, non-GMO, and antibiotic-free pork. Enjoy the crunchy rinds seasoned with paprika, salt, and other Tex-Mex spices. </p>
<h2>You Might Like</h2>
<p>Learn more about better farming practices, and the brands that make it easy to shop sustainably. </p>
<h3><a href="https://thrivemarket.com/blog/meet-our-meat-and-seafood-thrive-markets-program-is-creating-a-better-food-future"target="_blank">Meet Our Meat and Seafood</a></h3>
<p>Learn more about Thrive Market’s innovative program to bring you the very best pork, seafood, beef, and chicken possible. </p>
<h3><a href="https://thrivemarket.com/blog/heres-how-epic-celebrates-earth-day-every-day"target="_blank">Here’s How EPIC Celebrates Earth Day, Every Day</a></h3>
<p>Get to know the brand behind some of the industry’s toughest animal welfare standards, and find out how EPIC is changing the game.</p>
<h3><a href="https://thrivemarket.com/blog/what-is-sustainable-farming"target="_blank">What Is Sustainable Farming?</a></h3>
<p>The growing sustainable farming movement promotes the production of food through farming techniques that put the planet first.</p>

Eat ethically with Thrive Market's pasture raised products. Fulfill all your specific dietary needs while eating healthy and happy.

Pasture-raised animals enjoy life outdoors, which helps regenerate soil and naturally fertilize the land.

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