Product Definitions

Below are the production types we currently have available for products sold through the IFC. You will be able to select these attributes when you list a new product. If there is certification you have that isn’t on the list please notify our General Manager.

Certified Practices

Type	Requirements
Certified Organic	All food products || Certified organic producers use natural processes and materials when developing farming systems. Farmers don’t use any synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, or genetically modified organisms. Organic livestock are raised mostly on pasture with space for freedom of movement. Feed must be grown without synthetic inputs or genetically modified seeds. Each species has standards for their care, covering space and shelter requirements, accommodations for natural behaviors, use of 100% organic feed, no use of antibiotics or hormones. However, organic producers are required to treat sick animals. Treated animals are sold into the conventional market. [MORE INFO]
Raised Certified Organic	Poultry and meat || Requires an Organic Certificate from the producer, while recognizing that a producer's access to a processing plant that is also Certified Organic might be extremely limited. The animal is certified organic, however the processing facility is not. Or in some cases, the animal is certified organic but the added seasonings are not. [MORE INFO]
Certified Naturally Grown	All food products || This certification requires the same standards set forth by the USDA for organic production, however certification is carried out through peer inspections thereby reducing cost and paperwork. [MORE INFO]
Animal Welfare Certified (GAP)	Eggs, poultry, meat || Animal Welfare Certified (Global Animal Partnership) uses a tiered labeling strategy, signaling to consumers how the animals were raised. There are 5+ levels of certifications for animal production including assessment of enriched environment, outdoor access, pasture raised, animal centered and entire life on the farm. The producer profile will have specifics on their level of certification.
Certified 100% Grass- Fed	Beef, pork and lamb || Beef, Pork & Lamb only – all other animals require minimum grain levels. Defined by the USDA. The animal has only consumed forages and milk for the length of their life. Grains and grain by-products are NEVER EVER consumed by the animal.
Real Organic Project	All food products || The Real Organic Project's goal is to create an add-on label to USDA certified organic to provide more transparency on these farming practices. USDA organic certification is a prerequisite to participate in the add-on program. The USDA Organic Certification label has recently embraced hydroponics and has dropped the proposed rule on animal welfare, however, the Real Organic Project believes that crops grown in soil and livestock raised on pasture-based systems are fundamental to organic farming.
Regenerative Organic Certification	All food products || Regenerative Organic Certified is certification for food, textiles, and personal care ingredients. ROC farms and products meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and farm-worker fairness.
Certified Biodynamic	All food products || The Demeter Biodynamic® Farm Standard is a comprehensive organic farming method that requires the creation and management of a closed system minimally dependent on imported materials, and instead meets its needs from the living dynamics of the farm itself.
Gluten-Free Certified	All food products || The manufacturer has followed stringent steps to prevent gluten cross-contamination and that the food has been independently tested by a third-party for the presence of gluten.[MORE INFO]
Certified Fair Trade	The Fair Trade Certified seal on a product signifies that it was made according to rigorous fair trade standards that promote sustainable livelihoods, safe working conditions, protection of the environment, and strong, transparent supply chains.
Certified Vegan	Product does not contain meat, fish, fowl, animal by-products, eggs or egg products, milk or milk products, honey or honey bee products, insects or products from insects such as silk or dyes, or sugar filtered with bone char or be processed with any animal products or by-products. Product involves no animal testing of ingredients or finished product. [MORE INFO]

Self-Declared Practices

Type	Guidelines
Free range	Eggs, poultry, meat || Access to outside required, though not necessarily covered with vegetation. While some producers do not have third party certification, many are using environmentally responsible practices for their food production. Please read producer profiles in order to best understand growers practices and if you still have questions reach out to the producer for answers.
Pastured	Eggs, poultry, meat || Animals must have access to outdoors mainly covered with substantial living vegetation, often known as “grass-fed”. For beef, pork and lamb, the animal spends some time foraging and is also fed grains and grain by-products. See producer profile for most accurate information.
100% Grass-Fed	Beef, pork, lamb || Beef, pork & lamb only. IFC follows the definition provided by the USDA. This is a self-declared label. The animal has only consumed forages and milk for the length of their life. Grains and grain by-products have NEVER been consumed by the animal.
Self-declared growing practices	Fruits, vegetables, nuts, transplants || While some producers do not have third party certification, many are using environmentally responsible practices for their food production. Please read producer profiles in order to best understand growers practices and if you still have questions reach out to the producer for answers. [MORE INFO]