Our Commitment To Animal Welfare
For more than 40 years, Market of Choice has worked closely with our supplier partners to ensure we are able to bring the best choices to market. As we’ve grown, it has always been important to us that our procurement practices and policies related to our suppliers reflect our own high standards for responsible business practices. This includes our commitment to the humane treatment, welfare, and respect of animals.
Supplier Partners
All suppliers must meet or exceed The Five Freedoms (below) of animal welfare. Our priority is to support local suppliers who meet our high standards for animal welfare. If we are unable to find appropriate local partners, we look outside the state of Oregon to identify those who demonstrate and adhere to our policies and The Five Freedoms.
- Freedom from hunger and thirst, by ensuring animals have access to fresh water and are provided a diet that maintains health and vigor.
- Freedom from discomfort, by granting access to shelter and a temperature-controlled environment where animals can be comfortable and protected from inclement weather.
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease and are monitored by on-site veterinary staff that can provide rapid diagnosis and treatment when necessary.
- Freedom to express normal behavior, by providing sufficient space and adequate facilities, as well as the opportunity to socialize with the animal’s own species.
- Freedom from fear and distress, by providing a safe environment that does not cause mental suffering.
Our Pledge
Market of Choice is committed to the continual evaluation of our policies and practices based on the latest research and information. While we recognize welfare practices are evolving as the industry makes changes to improve animal husbandry, we also acknowledge our role and responsibility to work closely with our partners to ensure they are meeting our product and procurement policies.
Our Supplier Standards
Ranchers and Farmers
We’ve selected some of the best suppliers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. These partners align with our procurement standards and are members of leading industry groups that adhere to proper animal welfare practices. Below are our key partners, along with links to their animal welfare policies and standards.
- Chicken: Coleman, Draper, Roxy and Ranger brands
- Turkey: Mary’s and Diestel
- Pork: Beeler’s Pork and Carlton Farms
- Beef: Royal Ranch and Painted Hills
Laying Hens and Eggs
We have accelerated the 2024 State of Oregon requirements by eliminating suppliers and products that are not Cage Free, Free Range, or Pasture Raised. Our sourcing policies reflect the same Five Freedoms mentioned above and we are committed to sourcing from as many local suppliers as needed, supporting Oregon’s farmers and growers that can also meet our sourcing policies.
Our new Craft & Kitchen Farm Raised white and brown eggs are sourced from Wilcox Farms. They meet or exceed industry standards and have earned certifications from Certified Humane.
All of our egg suppliers and their animal welfare standards can be found at the links below.
- Laying Hen Vendors: Wilcox Farms, Happy Egg Co., Thistle Family Farm, Stiebers Farms, Pete and Gerrys, Wild Rose Foods, Vital Eggs
Seafood
By following the precise standards of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, we’re able to provide seafood recommendations based on sustainability and best-practices for both fished and farmed choices. Seafood Watch has developed the most trusted, rigorous standards for fishing and aquaculture practices worldwide. These standards are built on a solid foundation of science and collaboration and set the global bar for environmentally sustainable seafood. We work directly with Oregon fisherfolk as well as source other species in our partnership with Ocean Beauty Seafood. Our seafood choices include species that are wild caught or sustainably farm raised.
