Baxter

Leading alternative pet food brand adds free range, sustainable poultry suppliers

The Honest Kitchen announces partnerships with renowned humane meat suppliers Crystal Lake Farms, and Diestel Turkey Ranch, to incorporate free range, sustainably farmed chicken and turkey meat into its Proper Toppers human-grade foods for pets. Proper Toppers are a ready-to-eat dehydrated meal replacement or meal topper, that can be mixed with conventional pet food to boost taste and nutrition, or used as a treat.

The Honest Kitchen first incorporated free range, humanely raised meat into its supply chain in 2009, when it transitioned to 100% free range chicken from Petaluma Poultry. Since then, the company has purchased only free range chicken for use in its recipes.

“Our partnerships with Crystal Lake Farms and Diestel Turkey Ranch continue The Honest Kitchen’s steadfast commitment to implementing the highest possible welfare and sustainability standards for meats, across the board,” said The Honest Kitchen’s Founder and CEO Lucy Postins. “We’re incredibly proud to incorporate these meats into our supply chain.”

Diestel turkeys are raised in accordance with Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP) welfare standards. The company is committed to farming practices that are respectful to its animals and land, and result in wholesome turkey. Diestel birds are fed a 100% vegetarian diet, and are never administered growth stimulants or antibiotics. Diestel prides itself on thoughtfully raising birds to enable them to grow slowly and naturally, with plenty of fresh air and room to roam, whether indoors or outdoors.

The Crystal Lake ‘Free Ranger’ is a slower growing, pasture raised chicken that thrives both inside and outside. Crystal Lake Farms birds are free of antibiotics and hormones, are fed a vegetarian diet and are humanely raised according to GAP Step 4, meaning they have continuous access to outdoor run except during inclement weather. They are also Non-GMO project verified.

The Honest Kitchen provides complete and balanced whole food nutrition for cats and dogs. Like The Honest Kitchen’s classic diets, Proper Toppers are made using dehydration, which is a gentle technique that retains natural nutrients found in fresh, whole foods, and protects the natural pigments (phytonutrients) in the ingredients, keeping the food much healthier than processed pet foods. Proper Toppers are sold at pet stores nationwide and retail for $9.99 for a small bag, and $19.99 for a large bag.

Baxter submitted by Rebecca and Paul Sparks