Steadfast Farms Announces Pending Organic Certification
March 13, 2025
Steadfast Farms, in Bethlehem, Connecticut, proudly announces that its processing and slaughter facility is pending USDA Organic Certification for Poultry Processing. With final validation expected in May 2025, this milestone will enable Steadfast Farms to support poultry producers with organic-certified processing services for chicken, duck, and turkey—a crucial step in strengthening New England’s local and sustainable food systems.
A Commitment to Quality & Transparency
As a participant in the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), Steadfast Farms has worked closely with CT NOFA for the past six months to ensure full compliance with organic processing standards. This involved comprehensive checks on all aspects of operations, from cleaning supplies to processing techniques, in accordance with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations.
“Our journey toward organic certification reflects our deep commitment to integrity, transparency, and local food resilience,” said Aaron McCool, Director of Operations. “Through research and development conducted in 2024 with our consumers and poultry producers, we identified an increasing demand for locally processed organic poultry that truly originates in New England. Steadfast Farms will be the first organic-certified poultry processor in the region in nearly 50 years, an incredible accomplishment that ensures families can enjoy nutritious, locally sourced food while strengthening our regional food economy.”
Bringing Organic Poultry Processing Back to New England
With certification approval anticipated within 90 days, Steadfast Farms will begin offering organic-certified slaughter and processing services to poultry producers in 2025. The farm’s own flocks are on track to receive organic certification in 2026. This development is pioneering advancement for New England poultry farmers:
Research from CT NOFA indicates that 23,000 organic chickens will enter the market over the next 2 years from regional producers—a significant shift from previous years when the lack of a local organic-certified processing facility left farmers with two choices: send their birds to out-of-region processors or forgo the organic label entirely, despite adhering to organic practices.
Certified producers will have the option to use the USDA Organic seal on their packaging, ensuring consumers can easily identify and trust their products.
With organic certification, farmers can now meet the growing consumer demand for locally sourced, organic poultry, strengthening connections with health-conscious shoppers, restaurants, and retailers.
“This certification is more than just a label—it represents our dedication to ethical animal welfare from hatch to harvest, exceptional quality services for our partners, and expanding support for regional farmers,” said Jared McCool, Founder & CEO. “We are honored to play a role in elevating New England’s poultry producers by providing the processing infrastructure they need to thrive and connect with consumers.”
For more information about Steadfast Farms and partnerships, visit their website or contact them via email at steadfastspps@gmail.com or phone at (860) 302-7847.
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