How can we build a more humane food system? It starts with the everyday act of eating. Purchasing food from local farms diverts revenue from industrial food producers that prioritize profits to small businesses that have our region’s best interests at heart. Through resources like virtual farm tours and Pittsburgh’s Guide to Humanely Raised Food, we at the Ethical Farming Fund connect eaters to local farms that put animal welfare first. But we also go a step further by helpin

The words “humanely raised” are an increasingly common marketing term on animal products. Unlike with the labels “cage-free” and “organic,” there is no legal definition of “humanely raised.” Hypothetically, any food company or farmer could describe their product this way. So how do you know if it’s accurate? In a best-case scenario, you can see the farm and ask the farmer questions to find out whether their practices meet your definition of "humane." The second best option is

Under the shade of sassafras and cherry trees in Natrona Heights, PA, we watched the pigs enjoy their lunch. Some huddled around a large tree trunk, gnawing at the bark and loudly crunching mouthfuls of it like potato chips. Other pigs happily buried their snouts in the dirt, lifting the soil like a trowel, and ripping the fine roots with the sound of tearing cloth. The whole area occupied by the group had been razed to bare earth within the past week. Shrubs and saplings, up

Not all meat is created equal. The way food is grown has a significant impact on its nutritional quality--fruits, vegetables, and animal products alike. When it comes to meat, eggs and dairy, the difference really comes down to what the animal ate. It just so happens that raising livestock on pasture, a more natural habitat than a barn or a feedlot, results in healthier food for humans. (Our animal welfare standards don't dictate outdoor access for every species, but we do be

“Farm-to-table” is hardly a new term in our fast-paced food lives. It sounds trendy, but unlike IPAs and molecular gastronomy, it has inherent value. Direct farm-to-table systems support neighboring businesses, rather than corporate ones, which strengthens the local economy. Small-scale distribution also reduces the amount of fossil fuels needed to feed people, since the food is grown in a driving radius of a few hours at most. In the kitchen, chefs sourcing locally get acces

One common reason people don't support their local farmers is that shopping at a supermarket is just convenient. Supermarkets are open late—sometimes 24/7—and have pretty much every item you could want. But the one-stop-shop still leaves something to be desired: understanding how your food was grown, knowing who grows it, and keeping capital in your region are just a few reasons to skip the supermarket for meat, eggs, dairy, and seasonal produce. Today there are a few ways to

In their latest effort to stand up for farm animals, the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Ethical Farming Fund has launched a new program empowering local consumers to improve animal welfare and have something to show for it. The Farming With Love program raises money to help local farmers improve the lives of their animals, offering shirts and canvas bags in exchange for donations. Here’s how it works: a person makes a donation to the Farming With Love program ($12 for a canvas ba

Will you be celebrating Thanksgiving this year? Do you love animals? If you answered "yes" to both of these—I especially hope you love animals—and you live in Western PA, you've come to the right place. While Thanksgiving tends to sneak up on those that are in charge of cooking, farmers are thinking about America's most popular holiday several months in advance. You should be, too. Why not be prepared by ordering your turkey months in advance from a local farm? Local, pasture

What I'm about to say might make you groan: buy local. Still with me? Okay. The words have almost become abstract over the course of the many food movements we are currently witnessing. You should know that there are many real reasons to skip the supermarket. For instance, here are just some of the things you can accomplish by buying your meat or produce directly from the farm: Eat fresher and better tasting food. Keep your neighbor (that is, your local farmer) in business. W