You might have noticed lately that pork has gotten more scarce – and more expensive – in the grocery store. This is because a law that passed in 2016 recently went into effect. The new law states that most uncooked pork (hotdogs are exempt) sold in Massachusetts has to come from pigs that were raised in pens with enough space to freely turn around, lie down and stand up, i.e. no gestation or farrowing crates. This applies to pork produced in MA as well as out-of-state. All grocers must ensure the pork they sell meets this welfare standard.

We raise pigs in the way that we do because we know people are going to eat pork – it’s delicious. But we believe that pigs that will become food still deserve to have enjoyable lives – moving freely, exploring, and rooting through soil. We have always bought piglets that were raised by the sow (momma pig) without the use of gestation or farrowing crates, which prevent an animal with higher intelligence than a dog from being able to stand up, roll on their side, or turn around. This welfare standard is not new for us – it has always been a core practice in our farming and providing “happy meat” is one of the reasons we raise pigs.

People in Massachusetts bought about 356 million pounds of retail pork in 2022. Only about 1.9 million pounds was produced in Massachusetts. With the impacts of this new law on price and availability of pork, we see an opportunity for our Massachusetts neighbors to switch to buying local. Our pork has always been more expensive than what’s in the grocery store, but now that price gap is smaller. Paying that price difference buys pork from pigs that enjoy an athletic yet low-stress lifestyle, running and rooting in vast outside spaces, while foraging a more diverse diet.  The extra dollar allows the pigs to live like pigs, makes the pork more flavorful, and supports a local farm family that works with a local butcher, local granary, and other local farms. Sounds like a deal to us! You can shop our cuts or scroll down to reserve a pork share here on our website.

If you ever want to chat more about our animal welfare practices, pricing, or anything else porcine, we are always available. 774-218-6416

~ Farmers Veronica & William