We’re on a mission to bring ethically produced food to the table.Vital Farms. Keeping it BullSh*t-Free.
Our mission is to bring ethical food to the table, the breakfast nook, the picnic blanket, and anywhere else you might enjoy a plate of scrambled eggs or a freshly wrapped breakfast burrito. We work every day to improve the lives of people, animals, and the planet through food. Whether it’s giving our hens year-round outdoor access, supporting family farmers, enabling you to trace your eggs back to the farm, or setting the record straight in the egg aisle, you can always trust that Vital Farms is Keeping it Bullsh*t-Free. Our pasture-raised eggs are food you don’t have to question, unless the question is "why is this so delicious?"
How We Began
Vital Farms began with a husband and wife, 20 Rhode Island Reds, an Austin pasture, and a commitment to animal welfare. Matt O’Hayer aspired to produce ethical food and a sustainable business. Instead, they built a transformational one. Today Vital Farms partners with over 300 small family farms. Our hens are humanely treated, our eggs are pasture-raised, and we continue to elevate our (and the industry’s) standards, continuing Matt’s commitment to conscious capitalism.Rooted in Conscious Capitalism
Our purpose is rooted in a commitment to Conscious Capitalism, which prioritizes the long-term benefits to each of our stakeholders (farmers and suppliers, customers and consumers, communities and the environment, crew members and stockholders).
- Farmers
Our farmers put animal welfare at the heart of their operations. We compensate them fairly and provide ongoing support.- The Girls
Our girls supply ethically produced eggs and butter. Our network of family farms gives them the lifestyle they deserve.- Crew Members
Our crew is committed to our mission. We provide a supportive and empowering work life.- Consumers
You show the industry that ethics matter. We work to bring you joy through delicious food.- Vendors
Our vendors fulfill our needs throughout all aspects of our business. We strive to be a consistent and reliable partner, from Austin to Springfield.- Community
Austin, Springfield and pasture-belt communities welcome us. We support working families and community initiatives.- Environment
We’re conscious stewards of the incredible gifts of nature, including animals, land, air and water. Our farmers do not use pesticides or herbicides on their pasture, and we believe pasture rotation protects the health of the land.- Stockholders
Our investors believe in our model. We work to grow an enduring, profitable business.Our commitment to diversity, equity & Inclusion
Here at Vital Farms, we believe in the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Just like the transparency you know and trust from the Vital Farms brand, anything we do related to DEI will be Bullsh*t Free.Our intent is to constantly learn and challenge ourselves to take meaningful actions that directly impact our stakeholders—farmers, suppliers, customers, crew members, consumers, environment, stockholders—and those around us.
Internally, an important part of fulfilling our mission to bring ethical food to the table is by building diverse teams that reflect varying perspectives. We want to create an inclusive and collaborative culture that embodies our values of Growth, Humility, Empathy, and Ownership.
We are committed to building an environment where every crew member feels valued and that they belong. We do not tolerate racism or discrimination in any form.
We will continue to hold ourselves accountable to the important role we play in helping transition the world around us to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive place.
Vital FarmsThe Vital Farms Difference
We began as a single farm. As we grew, we didn’t make our farm bigger – we found more like-minded farmers who put the welfare of their two-legged and four-legged girls first. Today, over 300 small family farms commit to our exacting standards and the farming practices that we believe are best for the hens, the cows, and the land.
Where do the Girls Live?
Vital Farms hens enjoy fresh air and sunshine in a region of the US we call the Pasture Belt. Each of our small family farms thrives in this region, those warmer-weather states where the winters are mild, and the girls can nosh on native grasses year-round. Because we prefer to raise winter layers, not wear them!The Pasture Belt
We rotate the girls to a new section of pasture every 21 days so they can enjoy the freshes greens while the land recovers.
- Too Cold
- Too Rainy
- Too Dry
- Too Hot
- Just Right
Vital FarmsOur Farmers
When it comes to producing food ethically, Vital Farmers are outstanding in their fields and pastures. We’re proud to work with people as committed to animal welfare and ethical eating as we are. We support them with fair pay, in addition to resources and expert advice from our dedicated Farmer Support Team.What is pasture-raised?
Pasture-raised eggs are laid by hens that can spend their days outdoors roaming the pastures as they please. Our pasture-raised girls have access to a minimum of 108 square feet each, unlike cage-free birds that have far less freedom. On average, cage-free birds get a maximum of 1.2 square foot of space per bird and may rarely, if ever, see the sunlight. We make sure our girls have access to fresh air and sunshine year-round.In certain situations, when the health and safety of the girls are at risk, we may have to keep them temporarily indoors. We make these decisions based on state and local guidance as well as the guidance of our veterinary partners and Certified Humane, who audits our pasture-raised animal welfare practices. These situations are only in the event of the threat of significant risk to the girls, such as a weather or health emergency.
Why are the eggs brown?
While it’s true that a hen’s ear-lobe color will tell you what color their eggs will be, that’s not the reason behind the color. An egg’s color is determined by the breed. Most of our hens are Hy-line Browns – and it’s in their genetics to lay brown eggs.What makes your butter so special?
Thanks for asking! Vital Farms butter starts with cows who are ethically raised on family farms. Those four-legged ladies supply a rich cream for our 6th generation butter-makers to churn into something special. With 85% butterfat, we believe our rich and creamy butter can’t be beat.What do the cows eat?
The American family farmers who raise these cows know what’s best for their herds. So, for their health and well-being, they work with nutritionists to ensure the cows are given a balanced diet consisting of pasture, silage, hay, grain, vitamins, and minerals. We believe that a balanced diet for a dairy cow leads to premium high butterfat milk and a healthy, happy cow!How are the cows treated on your farms?
Animal welfare is and has always been an important part of our farming practices.Our farmer’s cows are able to express their natural behaviors, socialize with their herd, and have plenty of room to eat, drink, and lie down in a clean, dry space whenever they desire. They have plenty of water and food, which is provided under the guidance of a nutritionist. Finally, they are never given any growth hormones. Some of the farmers in our network are able to give their cows outdoor access because they are located in regions with a milder climate, while others cannot due to more extreme temperatures.
All of the family farms we work with to produce our butter products uphold the following animal welfare standards for cream supply: following the Five Freedoms of animal welfare and adhering to the FARM Animal Care Program version 4.0.
Vital FarmsHonest Food, Ethically Produced. No Bullsh*t
Our mission is to bring ethical food to the table. We do everything we can to improve the lives of people, animals, and the planet through food. Whether it’s giving the girls year-round outdoor access, supporting family farmers, enabling you to trace your eggs back to the farm, or setting the record straight in the egg aisle, you can always trust that Vital Farms is Keeping it Bullsh*t-Free. Our Eggs, Butter, and Ghee from American family farms are delicious, ethical food you don’t have to question.
