The Complete Guide to Pasture Raised Pork
Updated: 3 days ago
Pasture raised pork comes from pigs raised outdoors, with room to express natural behaviors like rooting in the soil, foraging, and wallowing in mud. But finding it at the grocery store can take some work. Packages are filled with words like “natural,” “humane,” and “heritage,” which can sound reassuring – without telling you whether the pigs ever went outside.
At Eat Pasture Raised, we help you find products from animals actually raised outdoors, in conditions that match the marketing. This guide walks through what pasture raised pork is all about: what each label means, which certifications we look for, why this all matters, and where to buy pork from pigs that actually spent time outside.
Key Takeaways
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What Does Pasture Raised Pork Mean?
When we talk about pasture raised pork, we mean pork from pigs that spent meaningful time outdoors, on real pasture (land covered in rooted vegetation like grass and other plants) with space to root, forage, wallow, and express the natural behaviors that pigs are built for. Pigs are intelligent, curious animals that are highly motivated to explore their environment, and socialize. Pasture-based systems give them the opportunity to do that.
But “pasture raised” is just one of many terms you’ll encounter on pork packaging, and some of them mean far less than they suggest. Here’s what each one actually tells you:
Pasture Raised. For pork labeled “Pasture Raised,” producers submit documentation to the USDA FSIS supporting how the pigs were raised. Current USDA guidance specifies that animals were raised on pasture (land primarily covered in rooted vegetation like grass and other plants) for the majority of their lives. This is the most important label we look for.
Organic. USDA Organic requires organic feed, grown without GMOs and most synthetic pesticides, along with year-round outdoor access for the pigs, subject to permitted temporary confinement. It also requires room for normal movement, bedding, and rooting materials. Pigs generally must be housed together in groups, with room to move and turn around. Gestation and farrowing crates, used to confine pregnant and nursing pigs, are prohibited. But organic does not require pigs to live on pasture: an outdoor concrete area can qualify as “outdoors”, and there is no minimum percentage of life that pigs must spend on vegetated land.
Free Range. Free Range is not a term you’ll see often on pork.When it does appear, “Free Range” indicates that the pigs had outdoor access, but does not tell you how much time they actually spent outside or whether the outdoor area was vegetated pasture. Look for Pasture Raised instead.
Natural. “Natural” describes the pork’s ingredients and processing. It means there are no artificial ingredients or added color, and only minimal processing. It tells you nothing about whether the pig lived outdoors, had access to pasture, or was raised under higher-welfare conditions. A pig raised in a conventional confinement barn can produce pork labeled “Natural.”
Crate Free. This claim concerns the use of crates, particularly for breeding sows. Gestation crates confine pregnant pigs; farrowing crates confine sows around birth and nursing. Check the producer’s definition to see whether both are prohibited. Crate-free housing (check the producer’s definition to see whether both types are prohibited) gives pigs more freedom of movement, but it does not establish that they had outdoor access.
Humanely Raised. “Humanely Raised” is a broad claim that can mean very different things depending on the producer – there is no one USDA standard for what “humanely raised” means (pregnant pigs kept in gestational crates could, with the current USDA guidance, be labelled “Humanely Raised”).
No claim at all. If the packaging doesn’t say Pasture Raised, Organic, Crate Free, or carry a welfare certification, it doesn’t tell you anything at all about how the pig was raised. In conventional pork production, pigs are typically raised in confinement barns on slatted floors, without access to the outdoors, pasture, or natural rooting materials. Breeding sows may spend much of their lives in gestation crates barely larger than their own bodies, and too small to even turn around in. This is the system that the vast majority of pork in the United States comes from, and it’s what you’re opting out of when you choose pasture raised.
Note: there’s an exception here for pork you buy at farmers markets or direct from a farm. Those packages often have limited labeling. Ask the farmer about how the pigs are raised — a good farmer will be happy to tell you.
How to Tell If Your Pork Is Really Pasture Raised
With pork, producers submit documentation to the USDA FSIS supporting that the pigs were pasture raised. The leading third-party certifications add additional welfare requirements on top of that. Here are the indicators we look for.
“Pasture Raised” on the label. Pork labeled Pasture Raised has gone through the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) review, and the producer has submitted documentation supporting the pasture-raised claim. It's a paperwork review rather than an on-farm audit but it's a meaningful, important starting point.
G.A.P. Step 4 and Above. Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) uses a tiered rating system from Step 1 to Step 5+, with each step representing progressively higher welfare standards. For pigs:
Step 1 prohibits cages, crates, and crowding.
Step 2 requires an enriched environment.
Step 3 requires continuous outdoor access (not necessarily pasture) during daylight hours.
Step 4 requires continuous access to foraging areas or pasture, plus unrestricted access to wallows on pasture.
Step 5 goes further, requiring animals to live outdoors on pasture year-round with additional welfare protections.
Look for G.A.P. Step 4 or higher for pasture-raised pork.
AWA (Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW). AWA sets requirements for outdoor ranging and foraging, specifies breeds suited to outdoor conditions, and qualifies the care required throughout the animal’s life. AWA is available only to independent family farms, and farms are audited annually. AWA pork is primarily available at farmers markets, through farm-direct sales, and from regional brands and butcher shops. Whether you find it at a farmers market, butcher shop, or retailer, AWA-certified pork is a strong option for shoppers looking for pigs raised outdoors under detailed welfare standards.
A Note on Certified Humane: For other products we cover (particularly eggs and chicken) we recommend looking for the Certified Humane seal combined with “Pasture Raised” language. For pork, the situation is different – Certified Humane’s pig standards do not require outdoor access. A Certified Humane seal alongside “Pasture Raised” marketing can be useful. The pasture-raised claim provides information about where the pigs lived; the certification adds welfare requirements. The Certified Humane seal on its own does not establish pasture access.
The takeaway: Look for “Pasture Raised” on the label, G.A.P. Step 4 or higher, or Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) by AGW. These are the indicators we use to identify pork from pigs raised on pasture or outdoor range.
It's important to note that certifications can be expensive and many small farms may not have them. At farmers markets and small butchers, a direct conversation with the farmer or butcher is as valuable as any certification. These standards exist for when you can't have that conversation.
Organic Pork vs. Pasture Raised Pork
The terms “Organic” and “Pasture Raised” tell you different things about the pork you’re buying. Both represent real improvements over conventional pork, but they are not interchangeable.
Organic covers feed, medication, and living conditions. USDA Organic requires organic feed grown without GMOs and most synthetic pesticides, prohibits routine antibiotic use, and includes welfare protections such as a ban on gestation and farrowing crates. It also requires year-round outdoor access. But organic does not require pigs to live on pasture — an outdoor concrete area can qualify as “outdoors,” and there is no minimum percentage of a pig’s life that must be spent on vegetated land.
Can pork be both organic and pasture raised? Yes, and some brands are. But the two labels cover different things, and one doesn’t guarantee the other. A pig can be raised on pasture without eating organic feed, and a pig can eat organic feed without ever going outside on vegetation. If you’re looking for pasture raised organic pork, look for products that carry both an organic certification and a pasture-raised certification or claim.
Pasture Raised Pork vs. Conventional Pork
Pasture raised pork and conventional pork come from very different systems. Understanding the difference helps explain what you’re paying for (and what you’re opting into with your support!) when you choose pasture raised.
Conventional pork is the default in the United States. The vast majority of pork sold in grocery stores comes from pigs raised in enclosed confinement operations, often called concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). In these systems, pigs are raised indoors on slatted or concrete floors, typically without access to the outdoors, pasture, or natural rooting materials like soil. Breeding sows may be kept in gestation or farrowing crates (metal enclosures small enough that the pig cannot turn around) depending on the producer and applicable state laws. If a package of pork carries no raising claims, certifications, or welfare language, it almost certainly comes from this system.
Pasture raised pork describes where and how the pigs were raised. Pasture raised means that the pigs that spent meaningful time outdoors on vegetated land (grass, forage, or woodland) with space to root, explore, wallow, and socialize.
The differences between these two systems show up across welfare, environment, and the final product. Pasture-raised pigs live in conditions that support their natural instincts; pigs in conventional confinement typically do not. Well-managed pasture systems return nutrients to the soil rather than concentrating waste. When you choose pasture-raised pork over conventional, you’re choosing a different agricultural system, one that prioritizes outdoor access, natural behavior, and a more integrated relationship between the animals and the land.
The Best Pasture Raised Pork Brands to Buy in 2026
We recommend pork products when we can verify to the best of our ability that pigs had meaningful access to outdoor pasture. When we’re evaluating brands we look for “Pasture Raised” language, as well as G.A.P.® Step 4 (our preferred certification). For products purchased directly from farmers, AWA (Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW) is a helpful standard.
The brands below make pasture-raised pork that meets our standard – but not every product from every brand necessarily does, so pay attention to the specific product and certification.
Hickory Nut Gap
All Hickory Nut Gap pork products are pasture raised.
Standard: Pasture Raised
EPR Note: Hickory Nut Gap is available online and at select retailers.
Joyce Farms
All Joyce Farms heritage pork products are pasture raised.
Standard: AWA
EPR Note: Joyce Farms is available online and at select retailers. Look specifically for the Heritage pork line.
Thompson Farms
All Thompson Farms pork products are pasture raised.
Standard: G.A.P. Step 4
EPR Note: Thompson Farms is available at select Whole Foods.
White Oak Pastures
All White Oak Pastures pork products are pasture raised.
Standard: Pasture Raised
EPR Note: White Oak Pastures is available online.
Just FreshDirect Pasture Raised Pork
All Just FreshDirect Pasture Raised Pork pork products are pasture raised.
Standard: Pasture Raised
EPR Note: FreshDirect is a grocery delivery service in New York City and surrounding areas.
Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative
All Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative pork products are pasture raised.
Standard: Pasture Raised
EPR Note: Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative is available online.
Where to Buy Pasture Raised Pork
Finding pasture-raised pork can be harder than finding pasture-raised chicken or beef. Here’s where to look.
Grocery stores. Pasture-raised pork can take more searching than pasture-raised eggs or chicken. Even stores with higher-welfare meat standards may have few or no pasture-raised pork options. Look for “Pasture Raised,” G.A.P. Step 4 or higher, or AWA certification on the specific product. If you’re buying from a meat counter, ask for the farm name and raising standard.
Butchers. A stand-alone butcher shop can be a great place to find pasture-raised pork. Signs a butcher is worth your trust: they describe themselves as a "whole-animal butcher," they use the words "pasture raised" (not just "local" or "natural"), and they put farm names on their signage. Naming the farm signals traceability, and allows you the opportunity to look up the farm, learn how the pigs are raised, and ask more specific questions.
Online. Online ordering is more relevant for pasture-raised pork than for almost any other product we cover, because the selection in physical stores can be limited (and pork freezes beautifully). Several of the brands above also sell directly to customers, including Hickory Nut Gap, White Oak Pastures, and Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative. Check delivery areas, shipping charges, and minimum orders before buying.
Local online ordering options for the New York City area include:
FreshDirect. On FreshDirect, Hickory Nut Gap and Just FreshDirect Brand Pasture Raised Pork offer pasture-raised products.
Farm to People. On Farm to People, Autumn's Harvest and Heritage Foods offer pasture-raised pork.
Farmers Markets. Some small farms raise pigs on pasture without independent certification. At farmers markets you can talk to the farmer! Buying directly from the farmer gives you a chance to ask how the animals live. Useful questions include:
What does the outdoor area look like: grassy pasture, woodland, a dirt lot, or something else?
At what age do the pigs start going outside, and how much of their lives do they spend outdoors?
Are pigs kept indoors during any stages of their lives?
Are breeding sows ever kept in gestation or farrowing crates?
How often do you move pigs to fresh areas?
Look for specific answers about the farm’s practices. “Local,” “natural,” and “heritage” don’t answer these questions on their own. You can also buy pasture-raised pork directly from farms via farm stands, on-farm pickup, and CSA meat shares.
Why Breed Matters: Conventional vs. Heritage Pork
Maybe you've seen the phrase pasture raised heritage pork before and wondered what it means. "Heritage" means the breed of a pig. Breed can influence a pig’s growth, suitability for outdoor conditions, and the flavor and texture of its meat. Commercial breeding often prioritizes efficient growth, lean meat, and large litters. Some pasture-based farms choose breeds for their ability to thrive outdoors and for particular meat qualities.
You’ll often see breeds such as Berkshire, Red Wattle, Large Black, Gloucestershire Old Spots, and Tamworth described as heritage pork. Some are known for slow growth, rich flavor, or generous marbling, but heritage breeds are not all alike, and they don’t all grow slowly. Duroc, for example, has a long history and is also used in commercial pork production.
Heritage and pasture-raised are not the same thing. A Duroc pig can be raised in a confinement barn. A fast-growing commercial breed can be raised on pasture. When you see “heritage” on a label, it tells you about the breed, not necessarily about how the pig was raised. Look for “Pasture Raised” as well as “heritage” for rich, complex tasting pork from animals that were raised outdoors.
Is Pasture Raised Pork Healthy?
Pork from pasture-raised pigs carries a different nutritional profile than pork from pigs raised indoors. A controlled study in the journal Meat Science found that pigs reared outdoors with access to pasture had significantly higher polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in their muscle fat than indoor-raised pigs. The difference comes from the diet: grass and forage supply omega-3s and antioxidants that grain-only rations don’t.
But an important note: we recommend pasture-raised pork primarily because of how the animals live, with nutritional benefits as a secondary consideration.
Is Pasture Raised Pork Better for the Environment?
When pasture is well-managed, raising pigs outdoors can support healthier soil, water, and habitat. The system works as a cycle: pigs root and forage on pasture, their manure returns nutrients directly to the soil, the pasture regrows, and the process repeats. Rotating pigs across different sections of land gives the pasture time to rest and recover, helping maintain vegetation and soil health over time. Pigs are particularly effective in this system because their natural rooting behavior can help break up compacted soil and incorporate organic matter.
That’s a very different system from conventional pork production, where large numbers of pigs and their waste are concentrated in one place. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can produce significant volumes of liquid manure that can contribute to water pollution and air quality problems, while growing large quantities of grain for animal feed requires land, fertilizer, and pesticides.
Well-managed pasture creates the opportunity for pigs to be part of a healthier cycle with the land they live on, rather than separated from it. Supporting well-managed pasture-based farms can help move agriculture toward systems that build and protect the land, rather than extract from it.
Does Pasture Raised Pork Cost More?
Yes. Pasture-raised pork generally costs more because it costs more to produce. Farmers need land, fencing, shelter, and time to move pigs and maintain their outdoor areas. Some also raise slower-growing breeds or pay for independent certification. Processing smaller numbers of animals can add to the cost.
We think the price is worth it. Pasture-raised food costs more because it costs more to raise animals well. As a consumer, you can choose what agricultural system you want to support. We think paying more for a more humane approach to farming, one that values the animals and the people who work in agriculture, is worth it.
Read more → Why it Matters
FAQ
Is pasture raised pork worth the extra money?
We think so. The main reason is how the pigs live: outdoor space gives them opportunities to root, forage, explore, and wallow. We recommend paying for documented pasture-based raising practices because those opportunities matter to the animal’s quality of life.
Is pasture raised pork the same as organic pork?
No. Organic includes feed and welfare requirements, including outdoor access, but it does not require pigs to live on pasture. Pasture Raised describes the raising environment, without requiring organic feed. Pork can carry be organic, but not pasture raised. Pork can also be pasture raised and not organic.
Is Niman Ranch pork pasture raised?
Niman Ranch allows pigs to be raised on pasture or in deeply bedded pens. Its welfare requirements offer meaningful protections, but they do not require pasture access for every farm. For that reason, we do not treat the Niman Ranch brand as pasture raised.
Does pasture raised pork taste different?
It can. Breed, feed, fat content, and handling all affect flavor and texture. Some pasture-raised pork is particularly rich and well marbled, especially from breeds selected for those qualities. But the pasture-raised label alone does not guarantee a particular taste or amount of fat.
What does it mean when pork is labeled “heritage”?
Heritage refers to the pig’s breed or ancestry. It does not tell you whether the pig lived outdoors. “Heritage” on the label tells you about genetics and flavor potential. To know how the pig lived, look at the raising standard and any additional certification.
Which pork brands are actually pasture raised?
Our recommendations include Hickory Nut Gap, Joyce Farms Heritage pork, and Thompson Farms, along with the other qualifying products listed above. Check the specific product and its raising claim or certification. Our Shopping Guide can help you find options where you shop.
Sources and Standards
We built this guide using USDA labeling regulations and guidance, published standards from independent animal-welfare certification programs, peer-reviewed research on pig welfare and pasture-based production, and first-party information from the brands included in our recommendations. When standards or claims differ, we prioritize the underlying regulatory or certification requirements over marketing language.
USDA guidance on pasture-raised, free-range, and animal-welfare claims and their supporting documentation.
Definitions of labeling terms, including “Natural” and minimal processing.
Federal organic standards covering feed, outdoor access, housing, medication, and animal care.
Pig welfare requirements across G.A.P.’s certification levels, including outdoor access and pasture.
Standards for outdoor ranging, foraging, housing, feeding, and animal care.
Pig welfare requirements covering space, bedding, enrichment, movement, and farrowing.
Guidance on pig breeds, feeding, pasture and woodland management, environmental impacts, and production costs.
Nilzén et al., Meat Science — Free Range Rearing of Pigs With Access to Pasture Grazing Peer-reviewed study comparing fatty acids and vitamin E in pigs raised indoors and outdoors.
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