At OWL Venice, we believe food is medicine — but in today’s world, even choosing your medicine can feel overwhelming. Words like organic, cage-free, and grass-fed are everywhere, yet so few people actually understand what they mean. Let’s break it down.
What Does “Organic” Actually Mean?
The USDA Certified Organic label requires that a product be produced without:
- Synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
- Antibiotics or growth hormones
- GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
Sounds great, right? It is — but it’s also expensive.
Organic certification is a lengthy, paperwork-heavy process that can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year for small farmers. Many regenerative or biodynamic farms that use better-than-organic practices simply can’t afford the red tape.
The truth:
Don’t assume “not organic” means “conventional.” Many small-scale farmers go above and beyond organic standards — they just don’t have the USDA stamp. That’s why we source from farms we trust and often speak directly to farmers about their practices.
What Does “Cage-Free” Actually Mean?
“Cage-free” sounds nice — and it is an upgrade from battery cages — but it doesn’t guarantee happy hens frolicking in the grass.
Cage-free simply means chickens aren’t kept in cages, but they’re still likely confined to a crowded barn without outdoor access.
If you’re looking for better welfare and nutrient-dense eggs, look for:
- Free-range: Requires some outdoor access
- Pasture-raised: The gold standard — birds roam on grass with sunshine, bugs, and space to move
Grass-Fed vs. Grass-Finished
Here’s where it gets tricky.
- Grass-fed means the animal ate grass at some point, but it may have been grain-finished (aka fattened on corn or soy before slaughter)
- Grass-fed and grass-finished means the animal was raised on 100% grass its entire life — a much rarer (and more nutrient-rich) approach
The benefits? Higher levels of omega-3s, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and antioxidants in the meat and bones — all of which support gut health, inflammation, and hormone balance.
Why It’s Complicated — And Why We Do the Work
At OWL, we believe certifications are helpful, but not the whole story.
We talk to our suppliers. We ask the hard questions. And we prioritize:
- Local and regional sourcing
- Regenerative agriculture
- Humane practices
- Low-toxicity inputs
- Small farms that are often left out of the “organic” conversation
Your Label Decoder
| Label | What It Really Means |
|---|---|
| USDA Organic | Certified, strict rules — but expensive for small farms |
| Cage-Free | No cages, but likely no outdoor access |
| Free-Range | Some outdoor access required |
| Pasture-Raised | Outdoor access on pasture; better nutrition and ethics |
| Grass-Fed | Grass-fed at some point, possibly grain-finished |
| Grass-Finished | 100% grass-fed for entire life — the gold standard |
Why This Matters for Gut Health
From inflammatory fats to antibiotic residues, how animals are raised directly impacts the way their meat, bones, and milk affect your body. It’s not just a moral choice — it’s a metabolic one.
That’s why OWL broths are made with the highest-quality bones and herbs we can find — always from animals raised with integrity. And it’s why we’re proud to partner with farms that may not carry a certification, but carry a deeper commitment to healing the land and the body.
Looking to support better food systems with your dollars?
Start with your broth. Start with your body. And if you ever have questions — we’re just a (free) coaching consult away.