We want to update our stakeholders on Avian Influenza, a virus that primarily affects chickens and has been recently reported in the UK and U.S. For background, avian influenza occurs when migratory waterfowl pass over farm areas and leave droppings containing the virus. First and foremost, we're thinking of any farmers and animals that have been affected by this virus.
Our Farmer Support crew has been following this virus since it was first reported in Europe several months ago, and we are working tirelessly to protect our girls in the pasture-belt. We've been working with our farmers, veterinary partners, and government health officials to protect the health of our girls. We also sought guidance from our animal welfare auditors including Certified Humane® and Oregon Tilth to ensure any approach we take has their approval as it relates to animal welfare standards.
At this time, our veterinary partners and state health officials have strongly recommended that we keep our hens indoors, and we are following this guidance. We've also implemented heightened biosecurity measures across our network of 275 farms. Because avian influenza is spread by wild migratory fowl, hens with outdoor access could be particularly vulnerable. We shared this decision with our auditors who agree with this approach. While the hens are inside the barn, our farmers continue to prioritize animal welfare which includes carefully managing barn ventilation.
While we hope the girls will be out on pasture again soon, we believe this is the best approach to keep them as safe as possible.
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Vital Farms Inc published this content on 28 March 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 March 2022 21:50:24 UTC.
Vital Farms, Inc. offers a range of ethically produced foods nationwide. The Company is a national consumer brand that works with over 300 family farms and is a United States brand of pasture-raised eggs. The Company focuses on the humane treatment of farm animals and sustainable farming practices. Its products, including shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, and liquid whole eggs, are sold in over 24,000 stores nationwide. The Company packages, markets and distributes shell eggs, butter, and other products. The retail varieties of its shell eggs are based on supplemental feed type, egg size, and pack size. Its egg packaging consists primarily of corrugated boxes and egg cartons. The Company offers unsalted and sea-salted varieties of its butter in two-stick and four-stick packs. The Companyâs products are principally sold under the name Vital Farms in addition to other trade names, primarily to retail and foodservice channels in the United States.
VITAL FARMS, INC. 
