why organic?

It’s better for you
It’s important to remember that whenever you eat a meat product, you’re eating everything ingested by that animal. Eating foods raised in modern, factory-like settings means ingesting growth hormones, pesticides and a myriad of antibiotics. None of these have any place in your body or in our restaurant.

It’s equally important to remember that when you eat organic fruits and vegetables, you are eating food that is grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic fruits and vegetables have higher levels of antioxidants and vitamins compared to conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.

It’s tastier
All of our organic and all-natural, free-range meats are grass-fed and pasture raised, giving them a melody of robust, hearty flavors that simply cannot come from animals reared in an industrial feedlot. When an animal is raised in its natural environment, it’s going to taste better. Organically grown fruits and vegetables tend to be juicier, sweeter and riper.

It’s better for the planet
Almost everything in our Bareburger restaurants are built from a sustainable and reclaimed material. The tabletops are crafted from trees felled by storms. Our booths are made from recycled, post consumer vinyl. Our ceilings are paneled with reclaimed tin siding from deconstructed barns. Most of our takeout products are made with plant resin or recycled paper products, and all of them (even the bags) are biodegradable. We are proud the animals that supply our meat have been treated humanely and with respect. We support farms that provide honest and fair wages. We are happy to support local food artisans like NY Foods Organic, Blackwing Quality Meats, Alberts Organics, Ricks Picks and Maine Root Soda. Our restaurants are powered by renewable green energy sources from Green Mountain Energy.

faq

What’s so great about organic food?

Just about everything!

First, organic food is simply better for you. Industrialized farming – designed to maximize profits – relies on growth hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, additives, and countless other chemicals to produce the most meat in the smallest amount of time. Produce that comes from massive agro-businesses is subject to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides of every description before it reaches your plate. The animals subjected to this battery of chemicals tend to be unhealthy, and the chemicals forced into their bodies don’t simply disappear after slaughter; trace amounts remain in the meat and are potentially passed on to consumers.

Second, organic products simply taste better. An animal that is healthy, treated humanely, and lives its life as nature intended produces richer, more flavorful meat. It is leaner and more tender. Organic produce is more luscious, more colorful, and heartier than the products of industrial farming. Even if you’re unconcerned about the health hazards of factory-produced food products, you will find organic fare much tastier than conventional alternatives.

Does BareBurger offer gluten-free options? How about vegetarian options?

Yes! All of our meats and poultry are gluten-free, as are our salads, sauces, and French fries. While our buns contain gluten, our burgers can come in a gluten-free lettuce wrap. We also offer a number of ciders for customers looking for a gluten-free adult beverage with their meal.

Vegetarians can get any of our burger setups with our organic, vegan-friendly veggie patty or our marinated portabella-cap burger. They can also enjoy any of our sides and snacks.

What does the term ‘organic’ mean?

The term ‘organic’ is legally protected and monitored by the federal government. Here’s how the USDA describes organic food:

“Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”

What is the difference between the terms ‘organic’ and ‘all-natural’?

‘All-natural’ means that the food does not contain artificial additives; this designation is based on the testimony of the provider. ‘Organic’ means that the product comes from at least 90% organic ingredients, while the term ’100% organic’ means that all of the ingredients are organic. The terms ‘organic’ and ’100% organic’ are regulated by the USDA through third-party certification organizations.

For meat to be certified organic, the animal and its parents must have been raised organic, live on organic land, and fed organic crops. In order for land to be considered organic, it must not have been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers for at least three years prior to certification. The animal’s diet may not include any byproducts or genetically modified organisms. The meat is not considered organic if it is exposed to antibiotics or growth hormones. Furthermore, in order to be certified, the product must be traceably and verifiably documented from birth to purchase.

Is your produce organic?

Yes, all of our produce is 100% organic.

What else is organic?

Our milkshakes are 100% organic, as are our dressings, coffee, lemonade, juices, and tea. Our ketchup, mustard, sweetener, and other condiments are organic. Our wine and several of our beers are also organic. Everything else, from deserts to our sauces, is all-natural. Maine Root sodas are not certified organic, but they are made with organic evaporated cane juice, all-natural spices, and filtered water.

Where do your meats come from?

We source our meats primarily from suppliers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Our bison and elk come from Montana.

Are your burgers organic?

We strive to serve the cleanest organic and all-natural burger in our restaurants. Here is a comprehensive list of our ingredients:

Meats:
Beef: 100% organic, grass-fed, 85% lean
Bison: 100% organic, grass-fed, 91% lean
Turkey: 100% organic, free-range, 94% lean
Elk: 100% all-natural, pasture raised, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, 92% lean
Wild Boar: 100% all-natural, pasture raised, hormone-free, antibiotic-free
Ostrich: 100% all-natural, pasture raised, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, 95% lean
Lamb: 100% all-natural, pasture raised, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, 90% lean
Chicken: 100% all-natural, free-range, hormone-free, antibiotic-free
Portabella Cap: 100% organic
Veggie Burger: Made with organic grains and local vegetables
Bacons: 100% all-natural, hormone-free and nitrate free
Sausage: 100% organic

Cheeses:
Colby: 100% all-natural, made from pasture raised cows, rbgh-free (growth hormone)
Sharp Cheddar: 100% all-natural, made from pasture raised cows, rbgh-free (growth hormone)
Pepperjack: 100% all-natural, made from pasture raised cows, rbgh-free (growth hormone)
Mozzarella: 100% all-natural, made from pasture raised cows, rbgh-free (growth hormone)
Havarti: 100% all-natural, made from pasture raised cows, rbgh-free (growth hormone)
Baby swiss: 100% all-natural, made from pasture raised cows, rbgh-free (growth hormone)
Danish blue: 100% all-natural, made from pasture raised cows, rbgh-free (growth hormone)

Vegetables and Fruits:
Tomatoes: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Lettuces and Greens: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Onions: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Avocadoes: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Cucumbers: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Cabbages: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Carrots: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Apples: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Mushrooms: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Bananas: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free
Red and Green Bell Peppers: 100% organic, pesticide, herbicide and ammonia free

Dairy and Eggs:
Milk: 100% organic, made from grass-fed cows
Ice Cream: 100% organic, made from grass-fed cows
Butter: 100% organic, made from grass-fed cows
Eggs: 100% organic, made from free-range chickens

What is the difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef?

Most beef available to American consumers is grain-fed beef, which means that cows were fed a commercial feed of corn, soy, and agricultural byproducts designed to fatten them as quickly and inexpensively as possible. The cows are sequestered in small, industrial quarters called ‘feedlots’ where they are given access to a trough filled with the grain compound. This diet has two main effects on the quality of the beef: first, it is higher in fats (saturated and unsaturated), cholesterol, and calories; second, as a result of being subjected to this unnatural and unhealthy diet, the animals are given antibiotics and other chemicals to bolster their weakened immune systems.

Calling beef ‘grass-fed’ indicates that the cattle were raised on a diet of grass and allowed to graze rather than being subjected to industrially-minded cattle feed. Grass-fed beef is more flavorful, leaner, and more tender than grain-fed beef. Cattle that are given access to the kind of diet that millions of years of evolution prepared them for are healthier and more robust than their unfortunate cousins on industrial farms; consequently, they yield far superior meat. Grass-fed beef not only tastes better, but it contains higher levels of vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to fight cancer and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Where can I find more information about organic food?

You can check out the USDA’s National Organic Program website for more information about organic food, certification, and the benefits of an organic diet: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop