Learn More About Our Products, Practices, and Principles
- Products
- Antibiotics
- Animal Welfare
- Certifications
Where can I purchase NCS Products?
North Country Smokehouse is on shelves nationwide. Shop these discerning retailers in locations near you by visiting our Where to Buy Store Locator.
Does NCS have a retail store?
No. We do not have a retail store, but we do offer curbside pickup. Visit our Pickup Order page for details.
Can I Pick Up an Order at the Smokehouse?
Yes. We offer curbside delivery and offer special pricing. Visit the pickup order page for details.
Can I purchase NCS products online?
Yes! We ship for FREE nationwide. Shop the smokehouse.
Are NCS Smoked meats gluten-free?
Yes. Most all our products are gluten-free but it’s important to always check the label and ingredients. A few of our products, like the authentic Irish Bangers do contain gluten.
What’s the difference between cured and uncured meat?
Curing is the method employed to preserve meat products, typically involving the use of nitrates. These nitrates are naturally present in various foods, including all plants. In contrast, uncured products undergo a natural curing process utilizing celery juice or powder, which serves as a source of natural nitrates, instead of relying on added chemical nitrates or nitrites. Consequently, our uncured products are free from added chemical nitrites or nitrates.
What is Certified Humanely Raised & Handled?
Certified Humane Raised & Handled is a certification that ensures animals are raised and handled according to rigorous standards focused on their well-being. This certification verifies that animals are treated humanely throughout their lives, from birth to processing. It encompasses various aspects of animal care, including living conditions, handling practices, and access to outdoor spaces. Certified Humane Raised & Handled certification provides consumers with assurance that the meat they purchase comes from animals that have been raised with compassion and respect for their natural behaviours.
What does Non-GMO Organic mean?
Non-GMO organic refers to agricultural products that are produced without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and are certified organic. This designation ensures that the food or ingredients have been cultivated following strict organic farming practices, which prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically engineered seeds or crops. Non-GMO organic products are grown using natural methods that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, they provide consumers with confidence that the food they consume is free from genetically modified ingredients and has been produced in accordance with organic standards.
What does Global Animal Partnership Certified mean?
Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P) Certified signifies that animal welfare standards have been met throughout the production process. This certification ensures that animals have been raised and handled according to specific guidelines aimed at promoting their well-being. It encompasses various aspects of animal care, including living conditions, transportation, and handling practices. Global Animal Partnership certification provides consumers with assurance that the products they purchase come from animals that have been treated humanely and ethically.
Is North Country Smokehouse Prop 12 and MA Q3 Compliant?
Yes, North Country Smokehouse is fully compliant with California’s Proposition 12 (The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative) and Massachusetts’ Question 3 (The Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals), which prohibit the sale of specific pork products from farms utilizing gestation crates. North Country Smokehouse not only meets these requirements but exceeds them by ensuring that all its farms are third-party certified by Humane Farm Animal Care (also known as Certified Humane®). We are committed to providing more space per sow than the current industry standard. North Country Smokehouse provides written assurances to its customers, confirming compliance with Prop 12 and Question 3.
Are NCS livestock raised with total respect?
Yes, livestock at North Country Smokehouse are raised with utmost respect. We advocate for enrichments as integral components of pig farming. These enrichments serve to reduce stress, enhance socialization, and enable animals to express their natural instincts and curiosity. This includes unlimited access to food and water, straw bedding for rooting and rest, and providing an environment where the pigs can play and explore.
Do you allow tail docking or teeth clipping or electric prods?
No. At North Country Smokehouse, we firmly stand against the practice of tail docking or teat clipping in our farming operations. Tail docking, the removal of a portion of an animal’s tail, and teeth clipping, the removal or dulling of the animals’ teeth and are often performed without anaesthesia and can cause unnecessary pain and distress to the animals. We prioritize alternative methods such as proper hygiene management and providing enriching environments to ensure the well-being of our livestock without resorting to such invasive procedures.
Do you limit transportation times to avoid stress on the animal?
Certainly. At NCS, our stringent animal care guidelines and protocols are meticulously followed from birth to harvest. We surpass GAP (Global Animal Partnership) guidelines, particularly for our cattle, ensuring that 100% of their travel time is kept under eight hours, with 85% completing the journey in less than six hours. Additionally, 80% of our pigs reach the harvest facility in less than four hours, demonstrating our commitment to minimizing stress and ensuring the well-being of our animals throughout their lifecycle.
Do you use electric prods?
At North Country Smokehouse, we firmly uphold a policy of not utilizing electric prods in our operations. We believe in handling our livestock with care and respect, prioritizing their welfare at every stage of the process. Electric prods, while sometimes employed by other facilities, can cause unnecessary stress and discomfort to the animals. We are committed to providing a low-stress environment for our livestock, recognizing that calm and comfortable animals result in higher-quality meat products.
How are the animals harvested?
At NCS, we utilize state-of-the-art CO2 Stunning Systems, also known as “controlled atmosphere,” to ensure the humane processing of livestock. This system involves gradually exposing animals to rising levels of carbon dioxide, inducing sleep initially and subsequently causing complete unconsciousness. It is highly effective in rendering animals insensible to pain, with less than 0.001% necessitating a backup safety stun, underscoring our commitment to humane treatment throughout the processing phase.
Do you use gestation crates?
NCS does not use gestation crates. We have been raising crate-free pigs since 2003 and holds the USDA Organic, Certified Humane Raised and Handled, and GAP 5-step certifications. We believe animals should have the freedom to stand us, turn around and lie down at will.
What’s the difference between conventional meat and meat raised without antibiotics?
The distinction lies in the method of animal rearing. Antibiotic-free meat indicates that no antibiotics were given to the animal throughout its lifespan. Typically, antibiotic-free animals are fed a diet consisting of vegetable grains along with dietary supplements such as vitamins and minerals. This ensures that their diet remains devoid of animal by-products that could potentially contain antibiotic residues.
Do animals need antibiotics?
At North Country Smokehouse, we prioritize animal well-being through traditional, respectful methods that honour their natural behaviours, as opposed to subjecting them to crowded, unsanitary, or stressful environments. This approach significantly minimizes the need for antibiotics to treat illness. In contrast to the common practice of administering continuous low doses of antibiotics, known as “sub-therapeutic antibiotics,” to help livestock endure stressful conditions and achieve market weight faster, we firmly oppose the routine use of antibiotics. We recognize the potential health risks associated with regular antibiotic use for both animals and humans, which is why our animals never receive antibiotics under any circumstances.
Are your pigs administered antibiotics?
Our antibiotic free, certified humane and organic livestock does not receive antibiotics. Never – EVER.
How do you treat a sick animal?
At North Country Smokehouse, we prioritize animal welfare in our operations. In the rare event that one of our animals falls ill and requires antibiotics for treatment, our protocols permit such intervention. However, if this occurs, the animal is immediately removed from our program. Fortunately, instances requiring antibiotic treatment are infrequent due to our strict farm biosecurity measures, which reflects our dedication to maintaining the health and well-being of our livestock.
Do you use Mrna vaccines?
As a leader in animal welfare, NCS is committed to the rigorous standards of organic, GAP 5-steps and Certified Humane certifications, and does not administer mRNA vaccines. Organic regulations allow for the use of vaccines to promote overall herd health and welfare; however, no mRNA vaccines are included in our health protocols for our marketed certified Organic, GAP and certified humane pigs.
What is a growth hormone and why should I avoid it?
At North Country Smokehouse, we prioritize natural growth methods over the use of growth hormones, which have been banned in much of Europe due to environmental and human health concerns. While federal regulations in the United States prohibit the use of growth-promoting hormones for hogs in conventional farming operations. However, our farmers firmly advocate for allowing animals to mature naturally, believing it leads to superior meat quality. By abstaining from hormone use, our approach results in meat with less water content compared to conventionally produced meat, contributing significantly to the exceptional flavour.
