Brown eggs have gained popularity due to the perception of being natural and wholesome, often touted by those seeking organic and sustainable options. Many consumers believe that the quality of the egg's origin reflects the values and practices of the brand. Among the top contenders, brands like Happy Egg Co., Vital Farms, and Pete and Gerry’s Organic are often praised for their ethical farming practices and high standards in production. To explore a comprehensive list of the best brands for brown eggs, check out the detailed insights below.
Illustration of brown eggs
Best brands of brown eggs in 2025
Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs
Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs is a renowned brand, particularly noted for its high-quality, USDA Certified Organic brown eggs produced by Certified Humane(r) Free-Range hens. The hens roam on open, organic pastures, foraging for grubs and bugs, and are raised without antibiotics, added hormones, or GMOs. Established in 1949, the company has evolved to become a leader in organic egg production, laying over 30 million eggs annually from its 100,000 chickens. Pete and Gerry's was the first egg farm to be recognized by Humane Farm Animal Care's Certified Humane program and partners with nearly 20 other family farms in the Northeast. Each egg contains 70mg of omega-3 and is processed and delivered to stores within 24 to 48 hours of laying. For more details on their organic eggs, visit their website.
Vital Farms
Vital Farms is a leading producer of pasture-raised brown eggs, known for its commitment to ethical and sustainable farming practices. Founded in 2007, the company has grown significantly, with over 24,000 stores across the U.S. carrying its products and a network of over 300 small family farms. In 2023, Vital Farms reported a 28.4% increase in net revenue to $106.4 million in the second quarter, driven by higher egg prices and a 6% gain in volume. The company also emphasizes regenerative farming, with plans to scale these practices to all its farms by 2026 and reduce carbon intensity by 25% by 2027. Vital Farms' eggs are renowned for their higher nutrient content, including vitamins E and D, and omega-3 fatty acids. For more details about their sustainable practices and products, visit the Vital Farms website.
Organic Valley
Organic Valley is a renowned producer of high-quality brown eggs, sourced from a cooperative of family farmers who raise hens with the freedom to forage, enjoying fresh air, sunshine, and organic pasture. In 2021, approximately 1,170 organic farms in the U.S. produced 544.5 million cartons of a dozen eggs, with Organic Valley being a significant contributor. Their hens are bred from varieties like Bovan Browns, Hyline Browns, and Lohma Browns, ensuring consistent and high-quality egg production. Organic Valley eggs are free from antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, and GMOs, and each egg contains 6 grams of organic protein and just 60 calories. The brand's "Free to Forage" seal guarantees that their hens are raised in conditions exceeding the National Organic Standards.
Happy Egg Co.
The Happy Egg Co. is a leading producer of high-quality, humane free range eggs, particularly renowned for its brown eggs. Since its launch in the U.S. in 2012, the company has driven significant market shifts, increasing the free range egg market share from less than 1% to over 7% by 2016. The Happy Egg Co. operates on 31 free range on pasture farms and four organic farms, housing 700,000 hens with 21.8 square feet of space per hen, exceeding standard free range farm conditions by 10 times. Certified by the American Humane Association, the company ensures its hens have daily outdoor access and enriched living conditions. This commitment to animal welfare and quality has earned the company the "Good Egg Award" from Compassion in World Farming.
Nellie's Free Range Eggs
Nellie's Free Range Eggs, a brand under the Pete & Gerry's family, is marketed as a premium producer of brown eggs, boasting claims of hens having access to outdoor forage and living in humane conditions. However, investigations have revealed that these hens are often confined in large sheds with only about 1.2 square feet of space each, which contradicts the "free-range" label. Despite these controversies, Nellie's has achieved Certified B Corporation status, underscoring their stated commitment to ethical practices. Their eggs are produced without antibiotics and with 100% vegetarian feed, yet the living conditions of their hens remain a contentious issue. A court decision in 2022 brought to light the potential for consumer deception regarding the "free-range" claims. For more detailed insights into their free-range eggs, you can visit their website.
Eggland’s Best
Eggland's Best is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality brown eggs, standing out for its rigorous quality standards and nutritionally enhanced feed. The brand conducts over 75,000 laboratory tests annually to ensure the highest quality and freshness, with eggs that have four times the Vitamin D and better egg white height, egg protein quality, and yolk color compared to generic eggs. Eggland's Best eggs are produced by approved, licensed producers on farms across the U.S., adhering to stringent quality standards and a unique, all-vegetarian diet for the hens. This approach has earned Eggland's Best the title of the No. 1 branded egg in the U.S., with superior Grade AA ratings even after a 45-day storage period. The brand's commitment to quality and freshness is reflected in its 27-point quality and freshness program. For more details, visit the Eggland's Best website.
Kirkland Signature Organic Eggs
Kirkland Signature Organic Eggs, while facing recent recalls due to Salmonella concerns, are part of Costco's significant commitment to cage-free and organic egg production. As of September 2022, 97% of Costco's eggs, including those under the Kirkland Signature brand, are sold cage-free, marking a substantial increase from 26% in 2015. These eggs are sourced from farms like Handsome Brook Farms and are sold in large quantities, such as 24-count packages. However, the brand has been criticized for lack of transparency and lower quality ratings compared to other organic brands. Despite this, the shift towards cage-free and organic production is seen as a positive step in poultry welfare.
Farmer's Hen
Farmer's Hen brand is renowned for its high-quality brown eggs, produced by hens raised in optimal conditions. In 2020, farmers in the U.S., including those associated with brands like Farmer's Hen, produced 96.9 billion table eggs from 325 million commercial egg-laying hens, with each hen laying approximately 296 eggs per year. The shift towards cage-free environments, which was at 28% in 2020 and rising, contributes to the health and productivity of the hens, resulting in better egg quality. Improved feed and housing also play crucial roles in enhancing egg production, with organic eggs, for example, coming from hens fed non-genetically modified feed. This attention to detail ensures that Farmer's Hen brown eggs are not only nutritious but also produced sustainably. For more insights into egg production, visit Egg Production 101.
Land O'Lakes
Land O'Lakes is a renowned producer of high-quality brown eggs, known for their fresh and delicious taste. These eggs are produced by hens fed a premium, all-vegetable, whole grain diet rich in corn and soy protein, with no animal fat or animal by-products, and are OU Kosher Certified. Land O'Lakes brown eggs come from cage-free hens that are free to roam in areas with sunlight, shade, shelter, and fresh air. The company is part of a farmer-owned cooperative, ensuring a commitment to quality and sustainability. Land O'Lakes eggs are ideal for various recipes, including scrambled eggs, omelets, and baked goods.
365 by Whole Foods Market
The 365 by Whole Foods Market brand is renowned for its high standards in egg production, particularly for brown eggs. Since 2004, Whole Foods has only sold cage-free eggs, and by 2017, they introduced stricter Animal Welfare Standards for their 365 Everyday Value eggs, including Cage-Free Plus, Outdoor Access, Pasture Raised, and Outdoor Living options. These standards ensure hens have access to perches, nests, and outdoor areas, and prohibit the use of antibiotics and land-animal by-products in feed. By 2020, all eggs in their U.S. dairy cases had to meet these enhanced welfare standards. This commitment to animal welfare and natural living conditions makes 365 by Whole Foods Market a leader in ethical and quality egg production. For more detailed information on their egg standards, visit their Quality Standards page.
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