Shopping at your local farmers market is a great way to support farmers and food practices you believe in \u2014 and often pay less for fresher, tastier produce and meat. But all of those little labels poking out of crates of corn and stuck on egg cartons can be confusing or even misleading. Use this glossary for your next shopping trip, and be sure to ask the farmers at the stand if you have any questions about their methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Animal Welfare Approved:<\/strong> Available only to family farms, this certification requires that animals be hormone-free and given continuous access to the outdoors. Cattle must be at least 70% grass-fed, and chickens must be cage-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cage-Free: <\/strong>Chickens with this label do not live in cages and have enough space to walk and spread their wings, but don\u2019t generally have access to the outdoors. They may still be put through processes like beak cutting, which is done so chickens in tight quarters don\u2019t violently peck at each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n