Our Standards

SFRAW Rating System

We have extremely high standards for the producers we choose to work with and the products that we sell. Our suppliers and producers go through a rigorous vetting out and interview process - truth is, not many make the cut! Below you will find the selection criteria we consider when rating our products/producers. We hope you find this information meaningful and helpful when determining which products you choose. 

Minimum Standards

All foods we buy or sell must meet the following minimum standards:

  • All ingredients must be inspected and certified by the USDA (or state equivalent) as “fit for human consumption” (with the exception of whole prey items and raw green tripe). Each ingredient must have the USDA or state inspection seal.

  • All produce must be certified organic. Produce is grown domestically; most of it is grown within 150-miles of SFRAW with the exception of fresh turmeric and fresh ginger root, when not available locally or from Hawaii, our alternate supplier is fair-traded from Peru.

  • All animal products, including eggs and dairy, must come from animals that are grass-finished, pasture-raised, organic, or free-range.

  • All products must be free from antibiotics and hormones.

  • All animals raised for food have not been vaccinated with the mRNA vaccine; some of never vaccinated. 

  • All foods must be made exclusively from whole, real food ingredients to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Prohibited Practices and Ingredients

We do not allow any foods that are:

  • Made from ingredients that have not been inspected by the USDA (or the state equivalent) as “fit for human consumption” (with the exception of whole prey items and raw green tripe).

  • Non-organic produce imported from other countries (with the exception of fresh turmeric and fresh ginger root, when not available locally or from Hawaii, our alternate supplier is fair-traded from Peru).

  • Subjected to a final “kill step” such as High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP), ultra, vat, or flash “high-temperature short-time” (HTST) pasteurization.

  • Irradiated.

  • Homogenized.

  • Sourced from animals raised with hormones or antibiotics.

  • Sourced from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), also known as "factory farms".

  • Contains added natural flavors or preservatives (only whole/real food ingredients are permitted).

  • Denatured with any substance other than ground bone (such as dyes, chemicals, charcoal, or other contaminants).

  • Formulated with “vitamin-mineral pack” supplements instead of using 100% whole, real foods for balanced nutrition.

This approach ensures that every product we offer aligns with our strict commitment to quality, transparency, and animal welfare.

 

SFRAW Standards

Our rating system recognizes three levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Each level requires compliance with essential criteria, with higher standards and additional attributes recognized at the Gold and Silver levels.

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Gold Standard (meets 75% criteria from each category)

Essential Criteria

  • 100% Grass-Finished or Truly Pastured
  • 100% USA Grown/Processed
  • Antibiotic-Free
  • Cage-Free (No Confinement)
  • Hormone-Free
  • Humanely-Handled/Raised with Care/Honor
  • Lovely People To Do Business With
  • Lower Carbon Footprint
  • Never Altered (beaks cut/tails removed)
  • No Crowding
  • Range-Free/Range-Grown
  • The Most Nutritious & Best Tasting/Flavor
  • Transparency (Facility/Farm Tours, Provides Information Willingly)
  • USDA/State Certified/Licensed Facility

The Product Considered (By Category) 75% 

  • 100% California Grown & Processed
  • Air-Chilled Processing
  • Certified Hallal
  • Compostable Packaging
  • Dry-Aged (Beef/Lamb)
  • Farm Harvested/Processed
  • Freshest You Can Buy
  • Genuinely Artisanal
  • Gluten-Free
  • GMO-Free Certified
  • HACCP Program
  • Handmade
  • Nutrient Dense/Tradtional Methods
  • Plastic-Free Production/Harvest
  • Soy-Free

The Business and The People

  • Alternative Energy Used (Solar/Biodiesel, etc.)
  • Certified Green Business
  • Cooperative/B-Corporation
  • Cottage Food Operation
  • Fair Trade Certified
  • Family Owned/Operated
  • Family/Hobby Farm
  • Locally Produced (Northern CA)
  • Minority Owned
  • SFMade Product
  • SFRAW Member Producer
  • Waste Reduction Program (Re-Use/Reduce/Re-Cycle)
  • Water Conservation/WaterSmart Certified
  • West Coast Producer (CA/WA/OR)

The Animals & Land 

  • Animal Welfare Approved
  • Biodynamic Farming
  • Certified Organic
  • Closed Herd
  • Enhanced Outdoor Access
  • Enriched Environment
  • Global Animal Partnership Rating
  • Heritage Breeds
  • Holistic Management/Savory Practices
  • Humane Certified
  • Marine Conservation Society Rating
  • Naturally Reared (herbs/homeopathy)
  • Never Transported/Moved (Until Slaughter)
  • Organic/Chemical-Free (not certified)
  • Predator Friendly Certified
  • Rotational Grazing
  • Salatin/Polyface Practices
  • Seafood Watch Rating (favorable)
  • Vaccine-Free

silver.png

Silver Standard Essential Criteria

  • 100% USA Grown/Processed
  • Antibiotic-Free
  • Cage-Free (No Confinement)
  • Hormone-Free
  • Humanely-Handled/Raised with Care/Honor
  • Lovely People To Do Business With
  • Lower Carbon Footprint
  • Never Altered (beaks cut/tails removed)
  • No Crowding
  • Range-Free/Range-Grown
  • Transparency (Facility/Farm Tours, Provides Information Willingly)
  • USDA/State Certified/Licensed Facility

The Product Considered (By Category) 50% 

  • 100% California Grown & Processed
  • Air-Chilled Processing
  • Certified Hallal
  • Compostable Packaging
  • Dry-Aged (Beef/Lamb)
  • Farm Harvested/Processed
  • Freshest You Can Buy
  • Genuinely Artisanal
  • Gluten-Free
  • GMO-Free Certified
  • HACCP Program
  • Handmade
  • Nutrient Dense/Tradtional Methods
  • Plastic-Free Production/Harvest
  • Soy-Free

The Business and The People Over 50%

  • Alternative Energy Used (Solar/Biodiesel, etc.)
  • Certified Green Business
  • Cooperative/B-Corporation
  • Cottage Food Operation
  • Fair Trade Certified
  • Family Owned/Operated
  • Family/Hobby Farm
  • Locally Produced (Northern CA)
  • Minority Owned
  • SFMade Product
  • SFRAW Member Producer
  • Waste Reduction Program (Re-Use/Reduce/Re-Cycle)
  • Water Conservation/WaterSmart Certified
  • West Coast Producer (CA/WA/OR)

The Animals & Land Over 50%

  • Animal Welfare Approved
  • Biodynamic Farming
  • Certified Organic
  • Closed Herd
  • Enhanced Outdoor Access
  • Enriched Environment
  • Global Animal Partnership Rating
  • Heritage Breeds
  • Holistic Management/Savory Practices
  • Humane Certified
  • Marine Conservation Society Rating
  • Naturally Reared (herbs/homeopathy)
  • Never Transported/Moved (Until Slaughter)
  • Organic/Chemical-Free (not certified)
  • Predator Friendly Certified
  • Rotational Grazing
  • Salatin/Polyface Practices
  • Seafood Watch Rating (favorable)
  • Vaccine-Free

bronze.png

Bronze Standard Essential Criteria

  • 100% USA Grown/Processed
  • Antibiotic-Free
  • Cage-Free (No Confinement)
  • Hormone-Free
  • Humanely-Handled/Raised with Care/Honor
  • Lovely People To Do Business With
  • Lower Carbon Footprint
  • Never Altered (beaks cut/tails removed)
  • No Crowding
  • Range-Free/Range-Grown
  • Transparency (Facility/Farm Tours, Provides Information Willingly)
  • USDA/State Certified/Licensed Facility

The Product Considered (By Category) 25% 

  • 100% California Grown & Processed
  • Air-Chilled Processing
  • Certified Hallal
  • Compostable Packaging
  • Dry-Aged (Beef/Lamb)
  • Farm Harvested/Processed
  • Freshest You Can Buy
  • Genuinely Artisanal
  • Gluten-Free
  • GMO-Free Certified
  • HACCP Program
  • Handmade
  • Nutrient Dense/Tradtional Methods
  • Plastic-Free Production/Harvest
  • Soy-Free

The Business and The People Over 25%

  • Alternative Energy Used (Solar/Biodiesel, etc.)
  • Certified Green Business
  • Cooperative/B-Corporation
  • Cottage Food Operation
  • Fair Trade Certified
  • Family Owned/Operated
  • Family/Hobby Farm
  • Locally Produced (Northern CA)
  • Minority Owned
  • SFMade Product
  • SFRAW Member Producer
  • Waste Reduction Program (Re-Use/Reduce/Re-Cycle)
  • Water Conservation/WaterSmart Certified
  • West Coast Producer (CA/WA/OR)

The Animals & Land Over 25%

  • Animal Welfare Approved
  • Biodynamic Farming
  • Certified Organic
  • Closed Herd
  • Enhanced Outdoor Access
  • Enriched Environment
  • Global Animal Partnership Rating
  • Heritage Breeds
  • Holistic Management/Savory Practices
  • Humane Certified
  • Marine Conservation Society Rating
  • Naturally Reared (herbs/homeopathy)
  • Never Transported/Moved (Until Slaughter)
  • Organic/Chemical-Free (not certified)
  • Predator Friendly Certified
  • Rotational Grazing
  • Salatin/Polyface Practices
  • Seafood Watch Rating (favorable)
  • Vaccine-Free