Farm-to-Fork: Health and Sustainability
POSTED: 04/25/2024
Health focus starts with the production of your food. If the process is full of harmful chemicals, secret ingredients, and unknown origins, how do you know what you’re eating is good for you? Through our fully integrated Farm-to-Fork process, we provide a transparent view of what goes into your food.
As farmers continue to have a profound bond with their land, advancements in science and technology, without a doubt, have changed how they cultivate their crops. The new tech and scientific explorations have allowed for farming to be done in a more sustainable way, compared to previous generations, at every step of the way from preparing the soil to harvesting.
With science-based initiatives in place, we deliver high quality healthy duck meat to your table while continuing to look for ways to improve and achieve new goals in sustainable and ethical farming. When we say we are Farm-to-Fork, we mean that quite literally.
Every Step of the Way:
Hatching
Once the eggs are laid at our breeder farms, the families who care for them collect them and send them to our hatchery. Here, they are incubated and undergo the hatching process. We ensure all the staff working in the hatchery are trained in Biosecurity and certified in Animal Well-Being.
Want to see it for yourself? We understand your curiosity, which is why we created a VISUAL TOUR. Learn more about our hatchery and the processes involved in this short video.
Farm Management
Our Live Production team collaborates with our partner farmers to adhere to our Trident Stewardship guidelines.
For details on what our Trident Stewardship Program entails, Zach Tucker, the Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, explains the process that includes, science-based duck care, audit systems (including third party), and experts from universities and the veterinary community that continue to find ways to improve the health and happiness of the ducks. Watch it here!
Feed
Located in the middle of farmland as far as the eye can see, Maple Leaf Farms sees no need to go too far for the nutrients needed to create the duck feed. Partnering with local farmers for our duck feed, these ingredients not only help with sustainability as it cuts down on transportation, but it also allows us to maintain the safety and quality of the feed because we know exactly where it came from. There are NO hidden ingredients, antibiotics, or growth hormones added. It is so safe that people can even eat it!
If you are curious about the process of how singular grains are processed and made into duck feed, follow along as we take you through the Nutrition Quality Lab and all other parts of the feed operation here!
Processing
At our Milford facilities, ducks are harvested and undergo further processing to create value-added items. With an array of products being produced, there are different ways these products are packaged and transported. For an inside look into our processing facilities, check out our Duck Universities!
Grade the Duck – Find HERE
Boneless Duck Breast – Find HERE
Whole Duck – Find HERE & HERE
Down Feathers – Find HERE
Distribution
Our distribution center dispatches trucks nationwide to serve foodservice, retail, and e-commerce customers. The products head straight out of our facilities and into your hands!
In every part of the process, health and safety are incredibly important. Being transparent about the preventative measures taken by Maple Leaf Farms is essential & something we take great pride in. We can ensure our duck meat is healthy and safe from our farms to your fork! Find the full Farm-to-Fork story below!
