Eddie’s Eggs – Eastern Cape, South Africa

Set in the middle of the beautiful Eastern Cape stretch of the Sundays Rivers Valley, Eddie’s Eggs is located in the largest citrus producing region in the country. Farmer Eddie Ferreira manages a flock of over 5,000 Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Non-GMO by AGW laying hens and produces Certified Non-GMO by AGW animal feed for sale to the public.

The chickens at Eddie’s Eggs are free to range in the organic orchards, which offer shade from intense heat and protection from predators. Scientific research shows that hens raised outdoors on pasture produce a better product, with pasture-raised eggs containing as much as three times as much vitamin E, seven times more beta-carotene, and twice the amount of omega 3 fatty acids as industrial eggs.

The laying hens at Eddie’s Eggs are raised according to the highest welfare standards in South Africa, as verified by their AGW certification. “In South Africa, very few farms are raising their laying hens outdoors and to the high standard of care we provide,” Eddie explains. “Without a meaningful animal welfare certification, shoppers don’t generally believe you are doing what you say you are doing. We are proud to meet the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW standards, and this certification gives us transparency and credibility, helping our customers to trust that we are raising our animals in the best way possible.”

“As the first farm in Africa to achieve this recognition for laying hens, it is a testament to the hard work we have put into farming as nature intended,” Eddie adds. “We believe it’s important to demonstrate that you can farm sustainably on such a scale—and for the sake of the environment, animals and human health, we have to do it.”

In addition to being Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, the flock of laying hens at Eddie’s Eggs is also Certified Non-GMO by AGW. The only non-GMO label to include animal welfare standards, Certified Non-GMO by AGW guarantees a food product is produced without the use of genetically modified feed, supplements or ingredients and it is the only non-GMO label to require pasture and range for livestock.

“In order to produce our high-quality eggs, we produce our own custom Certified Non-GMO by AGW feed using high-quality, natural grains from reputable growers,” says Eddie Ferreira. “Our proprietary feed blends produced at our on-site mill are created to support optimal all-natural animal health and growth, and contain no added hormones, no antibiotics and no medications.” The farm’s high-quality Certified Non-GMO by AGW feed is also available to purchase directly from the farm.

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Non-GMO by AGW pasture-raised eggs and Certified Non-GMO by AGW animal feed from Eddie’s Eggs is available direct from the farm, as well as select shops (see details here). For more information about Eddie’s Eggs—or to purchase their products—visit farmereddie.co.za or contact the farm at info@farmereddie.co.za or by calling +27 82 771 7434. Follow Eddie’s Eggs on Facebook and Instagram.