Walmart’s Marketside Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef has become a popular option for budget-conscious shoppers looking to buy grass-fed beef. But what exactly does the “grass-fed” label mean? Is this ground beef from cows that are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished? In this article, we’ll take a close look at the labeling, sourcing, and standards behind Walmart’s grass-fed ground beef to find out.
The “Grass-Fed” Label
The label on Walmart’s Marketside Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef states that it is “grass-fed” and “USDA certified organic.” While this sounds promising, the grass-fed label itself is not as strict as some consumers may think.
According to the USDA’s standards in order for beef to be labeled “grass-fed” the cows must have “continuous access to pasture during the growing season” and be fed a forage-based diet throughout their life. However, this leaves room for cows to spend time in feedlots and be finished on grain right before slaughter.
The “organic” label on Walmart’s beef provides more assurances. Organic standards require that cows eat 100% organic feed cannot be administered hormones or routine antibiotics and must have access to pasture for the entirety of the grazing season. However, organic standards still allow animals to be grain-finished.
So while the “grass-fed, organic” labels provide some indication of quality, they do not guarantee that Walmart’s beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished.
Sourcing and Standards Behind Walmart’s Grass-Fed Beef
To truly understand the sourcing and standards behind Walmart’s grass-fed ground beef, we have to dig deeper than the label.
Walmart’s Marketside Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef is sourced from Australia. While some consumers may have concerns about imported beef, Australia has strict standards and regulations for animal welfare and grass-fed beef production.
The specific supplier of the Marketside Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef is Bindaree Beef. Bindaree is one of the largest grass-fed cattle operations in Australia. On their website, Bindaree states that their cattle “live and graze year-round on expansive open pastures.” This indicates the cattle are 100% grass-fed.
However, Bindaree does not make any claims about being 100% grass-finished. Various forums and articles online indicate that Bindaree cattle do spend some time in a feedlot being grain-finished before slaughter.
So while the cattle may live most of their lives grazing on open pastures, it appears they are not entirely grass-finished. The short grain-finishing provides marbling and fat content that some consumers desire in ground beef. However, this means the beef is not 100% grass-finished.
Should You Buy Walmart’s Grass-Fed Ground Beef?
Given the sourcing, labeling, and production methods behind Walmart’s Marketside Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef, it does not appear to be 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. However, it is still a decent budget-friendly option for consumers looking for beef from pasture-raised cows without hormones or routine antibiotics.
Compared to conventional feedlot beef, Walmart’s organic grass-fed ground beef still offers some benefits like more omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid. But it lacks the full nutritional profile of meat from cows that are entirely grass-finished.
Whether or not it’s worth purchasing comes down to your budget, priorities, and how strict your definition of grass-fed is. If you want the absolute highest standards of 100% grass-finished beef, purchasing directly from a local grass-fed ranch is likely a better option. But for an affordable price point and decent assurances of humane raising standards, Walmart’s Marketside Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef may be a good fit.
As with any beef purchase, it’s always smart to read labels closely, research sources, and ask questions. Walmart’s beef checks some boxes for grass-fed standards but not all. Understanding the nuances in labeling, sourcing, and production methods allows you to determine if Walmart’s grass-fed beef fits your needs or if a strict 100% grass-finished option is better for your budget and priorities.
Grass Fed Beef – Everything You Need To Know And Where To Buy It
Is Marketside ground beef grass-fed and grass-finished?
It is grass-fed and grass-finished but it is from Walmart. Does that make a difference? Personalized health review for Marketside Butcher Ground Beef, Grass-Fed, Organic: 240 calories, nutrition grade (C minus), problematic ingredients, and more. Learn the good & bad for 250,000+ products.
What is the difference between grass-finished beef and grass-fed beef?
Grass-finished beef comes from cows that exclusively eat grass and forage their entire lives. Grass-fed beef, on the other hand, can mean cattle that started on the grass and then were fed a supplemental grain diet or ended their lives eating grain.
Is grass-fed beef healthier than grain-fed?
Grass-fed and grain-fed beef do still contain important nutrients like vitamin B, protein, iron, and zinc, but grain-fed beef contains four times more saturated fats than grass-finished beef, which is not healthy. And now, onto grass-fed’s rightful superior, grass-finished. What is grass-finished beef?
What is grass-fed beef?
Grass-fed beef is a loose term that can be placed on any cow that was fed grass at some point during its life. Grass-fed cows are also called “conventional cows.” They begin their lives by drinking their mother’s milk and eating grass. By eight months, or as soon as they are weaned off their mother’s milk, they move to feeding lots.