Most people know what a “C” Corporation is, at least sort of. It just means they have incorporated under subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code and…well, we’re already falling asleep. But what is a B Corporation? And why did Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs decide to become one?
Words by: Jesse Laflamme
B Corporations, also known as B Corps, are businesses that have decided to go beyond the very narrow goal of making profits. We seek to use business as a societal force for good. We have a triple bottom line of profits, people, and the planet. At Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs, we always strive to ensure that we're maintaining the same standard of thoughtful and responsible business practices in the office and in the community as we do as Certified Humane farmers on our small family farms.
To become a B Corporation, you must go through the rigorous impact assessment process from B Lab, the non-profit that acts as the certifying body. This process looks holistically across all of the impacts of your business, on all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
Think of it like being Fair Trade Certified when you buy coffee, or like the USDA Organic Certification when you buy Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs, but for the entire company. B Lab certifies thousands of business around the world to ensure they are following strict guidelines around: employee welfare and policies, the environmental impact of the operations, impact on customers, and impact (positive or negative) on the community as a whole.
Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs was first certified as a B Corporation in 2013, and we were the very first egg producer period to become one. This also applies to our Nellie’s Free Range Eggs and to Carol’s Eggs. Since 2013, we have been recertified twice, most recently this past year. If you would like to see our detailed report, click here.
And to learn more about having your own company become a B Corp click here.
July 03, 2021
Just bought my first dozen at Vons in SoCal. Great story! Eggs are tasty, and love the fact that you are a B Corp. Hope you can get them in to Sprouts.
1 Reply
July 08, 2021
We're so glad to hear that you found our eggs, Dan! Send us an email at [email protected] and we'll send a product request form your way. You can fill that out bring it into your local Sprouts!
April 05, 2021
Hi, can you please take another look at your egg cartons? The extra large eggs are always in great condition, no cracks but something more environmentally friendly would really be appreciated
April 06, 2021
Hi Donna, Thank you for your follow-up. We are so glad you are enjoying our small family farm organic eggs! Please visit our section on sustainability to see how we have addressed our choices to using a 100% recycled carton as well as our Takeback program!
March 05, 2021
Fantastic job you guys do! Been buying your delicious eggs from Walmart here in Hinesville, GA for a while. Keep up the great work! Thank you!
March 06, 2021
Hi Anneliese, Thank you for those really sweet words! Our family farmers truly appreciate it!
May 03, 2020
Do you feed your hens food that contains gluten
May 04, 2020
Hi Kelly, that's a great question. In addition to the insects our hens peck around for on organic pastures, they receive a supplemental feed consisting of organic corn and soy along with some additional minerals. Although gluten is not contained in soy, corn, or the wheat midds that the chickens occasionally eat, we unfortunately cannot guarantee that the feed is completely gluten-free. Our feed ingredients can change slightly depending on flock age and time of year, and the ingredients will sometimes include small amounts of barley and/or rye. Though we have not heard of any gluten allergies or sensitivities being triggered by the consumption of our eggs, we encourage you to contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns of this nature.
April 11, 2020
Your eggs are so good! Eggs. That taste fresh from the hen house.
April 13, 2020
Thank you so much, Cheryl! We're so glad that you're enjoying them and that farm fresh flavor!
March 30, 2020
What breed of hens do you raise? Are they Rhode Island Reds?
That's a great question! Each of our small family partner farms raises Bovans Browns or Hylines.
December 24, 2019
Yea for you! And great for us all...So many of us really appreciare your efforts.
December 26, 2019
Thank you for your kind words and support Lenore!
August 13, 2019
I’m confused about whether your cartons can be recycled as well as being made of recycled material.
August 14, 2019
Hi Charlotte! Great question. Yes, our cartons are indeed recyclable again. Our cartons are originally made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. In many parts of the country, there’s a surplus of recycled soda bottle plastic, and each carton puts that surplus to good use. The cartons are made from the world’s most widely recycled plastic, so they are readily accepted by most recycling programs and considered a #1 plastic. When recycled again, our cartons are significantly less harmful to the environment than recycling pulp packaging, consuming far less energy and water, with no waste or added chemicals. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions.
April 27, 2019
We so proud of you family how you are honest and produce healthy eggs.Our family buy your eggs for long time and after eats the eggs we can feel the different from other brand ,we prepare different dishes include cake the result is amazing to use you eggs. (Long time ago I prepare zabaglione using you eggs for the Prince Of Monaco was good but I wish I was use you eggs. Gourmet magazine I got 3/12 start for that if I was use you eggs probably 4/12 )Now I make hot and cold zabaglione and I use you eggs is incredible the results Now we are very happy find up you the member of you family was service as well . Our family have two sons and one daughter serving in the Navy to . God bless all you for all you doing.
We kind thank you enough for the kind words of support, G. We're so glad that you've been enjoying our eggs in many of your favorite recipes! Your zabaglione sounds delicious, and we hope you'll check out our version with grilled peaches - perfect for summertime: https://www.peteandgerrys.com/egg-recipes/grilled-peaches-with-zabaglione.
March 03, 2019
Do the chickens go to slaughter factories when they are old?
March 05, 2019
Thank you for this important question, Roberta. At the end of a flock’s natural laying cycle, we contract with several poultry transportation and processing companies to purchase our birds. These companies send trained and certified humane handling poultry crews to our farms to pick up the hens. At this point, the hens belong to that company, but we have worked with them to ensure that our birds are going to acceptable follow-on markets. You can learn more about this process here: https://www.peteandgerrys.com/faqs.
February 24, 2019
Do you use fertilizer on your land, and if so, from what company?
February 25, 2019
Hi Diane, we often use chicken manure from our home farm here in New Hampshire for our fields and pasture. Since we work with a network of small family farms across the country, we don't have a list of companies that provide fertilizer to all of our farms, but we can tell you that many of them do the same.
January 19, 2019
Thank you for being a B Corp. I'm buying your eggs from now on. I'll be looking for the B Corp on other products too.
January 21, 2019
We're honored to hear this, Barb. Thank you so much for supporting B Corps in the egg aisle and beyond - it really does make a difference.
January 03, 2019
Why are the eggs packed in plastic and not cardboard? Is the plastic recyclable? Also we have failures with this packaging with shell breakage.
Hi Les, we're incredibly sorry that you've had issues with our cartons not protecting our eggs adequately. Do you mind sending us a email at [email protected] so that we can replace these cartons that have given you trouble? In the meantime, we invite you to check out our blog post explaining our choice to use plastic over cardboard: https://www.peteandgerrys.com/blog/paper-or-plastic. As you'll read there, our cartons are made from recycled water bottles and are indeed recyclable themselves!
January 02, 2019
Do your eggs travel to CT? If so, what stores carry them? Happy New Years
Hi Kim! Happy New Year! Yes, our eggs are found in CT. Here's a link to our egg locator where you can find stores near you: http://fal.cn/rxIG Thanks for reaching out!
December 29, 2018
Wonderful! You guys make a great product and the fact that you do it with integrity makes me a happy consumer.
December 31, 2018
We appreciate that, Steven. Thank you so much for supporting B Corps like us!
November 28, 2018
What do you feed the hens
November 29, 2018
Great question, Karen. When our free range hens aren’t pecking around for insects in the pasture, they enjoy a supplemental feed consisting mainly of organic corn and soy. The soy provides them with the extra protein they need to maintain a well balanced diet, and the corn is a great source of carbohydrates. There are also a wide range of other beneficial nutrients and minerals in our feed that help to keep the hens healthy, such as electrolytes, sodium bicarbonate, and more. Let us know if you have any follow-up questions!
November 20, 2018
Since most soy is GMO, I'm not sure how you can say eggs [from the chickens you feed soy to] are organic. Have purchased Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs the last couple weeks - afraid I will have to stop now as I don't eat GMO foods (when I know I'm doing so).
Hi Dianne, the soy that we use (along with any other ingredients in our supplemental chicken feed) is USDA Certified Organic, as are our eggs. This means they are free of GMOs and synthetic pesticides. If you're interested in reading more about the importance that the organic seal holds for us, we invite you to check out this blog post: https://www.peteandgerrys.com/organic-eggs/organic-matters. Please let us know if we can answer any questions for you!
October 16, 2018
What diet is fed to your chickens. Thank you, Sandra
October 17, 2018
Hi Sandra! Great question. When our free range hens aren’t pecking around for insects in the pasture, they enjoy a supplemental feed consisting mainly of organic corn and soy. The soy provides them with the extra protein they need to maintain a well balanced diet, and the corn is a great source of carbohydrates. There are also a wide range of other beneficial nutrients and minerals in our feed that help to keep the hens healthy, such as electrolytes, sodium bicarbonate, and more. Let us know if you have any follow-up questions!
October 14, 2018
Good Afternoon, I would like to say Thank you for think about us raising up chickens. the way God show us to raise. God Bless you and Family.
October 15, 2018
Thank you so much for the kind and heartfelt message, Nancy. We couldn't do it without your support!
May 10, 2021
June 14, 2018
