SOURCING

Cream Co. is committed to supporting and working alongside independent producers to deliver the highest quality, best-tasting meats we can find. Sometimes that means bringing best-in-class programs to new markets. At others, it's developing a new program from the grass up. We are invested in every aspect of our partners' operations from the art of heritage breed and feed selection through to the logistics of humane slaughter and efficient distribution.

At a minimum, all Cream Co. programs are "All-Natural, never-ever" — raised without hormones or antibiotics. But our focus is on Sustainable and Regenerative West Coast ranches. 

Our Sustainable ranchers look to preserve their lands' viability for generations to come. They work with—and not against—nature to manage their land and care for their animals. The sustainable practices we look for include building healthy soil and preventing erosion, prudent water conservation, organic disease/pest management, minimizing air and water pollution, and excluding or minimizing GMOs.

Regenerative agriculture goes a step beyond preservation and aims to restore land to its former productivity — by capturing carbon in the soil and aboveground biomass, which helps reverse the atmospheric carbon buildup driving the climate crisis.

Here's how our ranching partners are regenerating their land:

• Rotational grazing strategically moving the herd or flock allowing the pasture to rest and regrow

• Multi-species grazing different animals eat different plants, keeping biological balance in check

• Agroforestry & Silvopasture the mutually beneficial integration of fertilizer-producing livestock with shade, shelter, and feed providing trees and native perennial forage

• No-till farming & cover cropping fewer disruptions to the soil, continual plant and root growth

And how we know it’s working:

• Increased topsoil

• Faster, more diverse forage growth

• Reduced erosion from wind and rain 

• Less runoff, increased water retention 

We visit our partner farms multiple times a year to ensure they maintain these standards. Most of our partners undergo annual third-party auditing and carry sustainability, regenerative, and humane treatment certifications and verifications including Land to Market™ Regenerative, CCOF Organic, Certified Humane, Non-GMO Project , and American Grass-fed.

We work with farms pursuing new certifications to support and guide them through the certification process. While paying for official certification isn't always the right choice for a small farm, we believe there is worth in documenting the Regenerative impact our ranching partners are driving.