Co-branded logo for Pete & Gerry's and Nellie's Free Range

Let's talk eggucation

Learn the truth behind every carton - and why it matters

When hens have room to roam, get fresh air and sunshine, and eat a wholesome diet, it shows in every shell and yolk. For generations, Pete & Gerry's and Nellie's Free Range have cared for hens the right way: on independent family farms with access to the outdoors where they can express their natural behaviors and produce exceptional eggs.

With the complicated claims in the egg aisle, understanding what's behind (and inside) each carton has never been more important. Here's what you need to know about the labels, lifestyles, and farming practices that make the “good eggs” truly stand out.

Hen lifestyle guide

Not all "Cage-Free" claims are created equal

Every label tells a different story about how hens are raised, and those differences show up in the quality of the eggs. From overcrowded barns to open pastures, each lifestyle shapes how hens eat, move, and live – and influences the quality, taste, and nutrition of their eggs.

Want to Learn More?

Tap the tiles below to explore caged, "Cage-free," free-range, and pasture-raised farming and decide which lifestyle feels best for you.

Hen Diet Deep Dive

You Are What You Eat

When it comes to egg quality, what hens eat can be just as important as how they live. From conventional grains to certified organic feed, plus the natural foraging that free-range and pasture-raised hens enjoy outdoors, every bite contributes to yolk color, flavor, and nutrition. Explore what different diets our hens enjoy, and what they mean for you.

Check Out Our Hens' Meal Plans

Conventional feed provides hens with a complete and balanced diet that supports healthy growth and consistent egg quality. It delivers essential protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to round out what hens naturally find while foraging out-doors—all in an affordable, accessible form that keeps family farming sustainable.

CONVENTIONAL FEED

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Organic feed offers the same complete nutrition as conventional feed while raising the bar for purity and sustainability. Made from non-GMO grains grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, it supports sustainable farming practices, biodiversity, and healthier flocks. Combined with natural foraging, it's the gold standard for producing wholesome eggs you can feel good about.

ORGANIC FEED

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Foraging: Nature's Supplement

For free-range and pasture-raised hens, every day on pasture is an opportunity to forage naturally. They scratch for seeds, peck at greens, and snack on bugs, creating richer yolks and stronger shells.

This daily outdoor buffet enhances both flavor and nutrition, naturally increasing levels of omega-3s and carotenoids that give yolks their signature golden color.

Our Egg Family

We believe everyone deserves an egg they can feel good about. That’s why our family of brands offers the perfect combination of hen lifestyle and diet to deliver what you need.

Egg matrix showing hens diet organic, hens lifestyle pasture-raised, hens diet conventional, and hens lifestyle free-range quadrants with egg cartons.

FIND IN STORES

No matter which product you choose, every carton comes from family farms committed to delicious, ethical, healthy eggs.Find the eggs that match your table, your priorities, and your taste.

Pete & Gerry'sNellie's

Egg quality comparison

When hens thrive, their eggs shine

When hens are raised with care, it shows in every egg they lay. At Pete & Gerry’s and Nellie’s Free Range, Certified Humane standards guide everything we do, from giving hens room to roam and forage outdoors to ensuring they enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet.

This thoughtful care results in rich, golden yolks full of flavor, sturdy whites that cook beautifully, and strong shells that protect nature’s perfect protein. Higher standards in care and welfare lead to better eggs, naturally.

Two cooked eggs on a wooden plate.

Cage-free legislation tracker

Cage-free is catching up, but still behind

Across the country, cage-free legislation is reshaping the egg aisle for the better. More states are setting standards for hens to live outside cramped cages, and major retailers and food brands—like Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, and Starbucks— are leading the charge with cage-free commitments.

Explore the map below to see which states have adopted, scheduled, or are considering cage-free laws.

Map of the United States indicating cage-free laws scheduled.

It’s a meaningful step forward for hen welfare and transparency in egg production, but “cage-free” is only the beginning. Creating truly natural living conditions for hens takes continued progress—and the support of consumers who care where their food comes from.

You can help keep the movement growing: choose better eggs on your next shopping trip, share feedback with your local grocer, and advocate for stronger standards in your state.

Continue your eggucation on our blog

Take a deeper dive into the world of hen welfare, egg quality, nutrition, and life on the farm on our ‘Field Notes’ blog. Explore stories from our farmers, learn what goes into responsible egg production, and discover how better care leads to better eggs.

Our Certifications

Real progress in animal welfare and responsible farming takes more than words. It takes proof. That’s why Pete & Gerry’s and Nellie’s Free Range eggs carry respected third-party certifications that hold us accountable to the highest standards of care, sustainability, and transparency.

Certified Humane®

This certification guarantees that every hen is raised with room to move, perch, and nest freely — and with access to environments that encourage natural behaviors like dust bathing and foraging. It’s one of the most trusted animal welfare standards in the world, and it guides how we care for every flock, every day.

Certified USDA Organic

Our organic eggs meet the USDA Organic standard, meaning hens are fed an all-organic, non-GMO diet free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and never receive added hormones or antibiotics. It’s a higher level of purity that supports healthier hens, more sustainable farming, and cleaner food for your family.

Certified B Corp

Being a Certified B Corporation means we’re part of a global community of companies using business as a force for good — balancing purpose and profit to benefit people, animals, and the planet. For us, it’s proof that doing the right thing isn’t just part of our business; it is our business.