FULLERTON, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 8, 2013) - NestFresh cage-free eggs is the first nationally distributed egg line to receive the Non-GMO Project Verified seal from the Non-GMO Project, a third party certification program that assures a product has been produced according to consensus-based best practices for GMO (genetically modified organism) avoidance. NestFresh (a division of Hidden Villa Ranch) is also the only egg brand to offer liquid and dry egg products that are also Non-GMO Project Verified.
To achieve non-GMO egg status, NestFresh chickens are fed non-GMO feed consisting of corn and soybeans, which are the most at risk for GMOs. The non-GMO corn and soybean feed is costly due to the limited amounts available. There is a routine schedule for the non-GMO feed to be tested and approved by the Non-GMO Project. On the non-GMO diet the chickens produce non-GMO eggs.
This unprecedented commitment to non-GMO verification by NestFresh is currently impacting approximately 400 acres of non-GMO corn and 380 acres of non-GMO soybeans. NestFresh is looking to expand its non-GMO impact by attracting more retailers, manufacturers and food service customers to the brand.
NestFresh works with multiple small farms across the country in a co-op system, providing more opportunities for family farmers so they can be competitive with larger companies.
"Non-GMO farming has a major environmental impact not only on the eggs we produce for NestFresh but also for my family that lives on the farm and for our entire community," says Joseph Kropf, who is part of a Mennonite group of farmers in Tampico, Ill. "We grow and mill the corn in our community so low pesticide usage is important to us."
This year, Whole Foods Market honored Hidden Villa Ranch for its private label version of NestFresh's Non-GMO Project Verified eggs called Nature Fed (that are sold to Whole Foods Market exclusively), calling their commitment to non-GMO verification and supply chain development "groundbreaking." For Whole Foods Market the non-GMO Nature Fed cage free eggs are helping them reach their self-proclaimed 2018 goal of becoming the first national grocery chain with total GMO transparency.
According to a recent report by Packaged Facts called, "Non-GMO Foods: U.S. Market Perspective," products that do not contain GMOs will account for 30 percent of U.S. food and beverage sales by 2017.
The Non-GMO Project third-party verification program was launched in 2008 as an initiative of independent natural foods retailers who were interested in providing their customers with more information regarding the GMO risk of their products. For details on the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, visit:
http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/understanding-our-seal
NestFresh cage-free and free-range eggs are Non-GMO Project Verified and available nationwide (MSRP: $3.49-$4.99). For distribution information call 877-241-8385; for more on the NestFresh brand visit: www.nestfresh.com.
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