From the Blog
Introducing Bell & Evans Chicken
New Chicken in Town
Bell & Evans is a family-owned chicken producer based out of Pennsylvania that offers the best tasting and 100% humanely raised chickens available. Innovation has always been at the forefront of their business along with their commitment to their chickens, their people, and their quality.
A Long History of High Standards
Bell & Evans had their beginnings in 1894, making them the oldest branded chicken company in the US. Owner Scott Sechler began raising his own flocks at seven years old, eventually being put in charge of the family chicken business. He moved forward with reinventing everything from the chicken's housing and feed to processing and packaging.
Scott's children have joined the family business. Margo and Scott Jr., fifth generation ownership, continue to elevate Bell & Evans to new heights.
World's First Organic Certified Animal-Welfare-Focused Hatchery
Bell & Evans believe chickens need a healthy start, and they take that seriously. Their chickens are never handled by machinery, instead transporting chicks to the chicken house in the same trays in which they were hatched to minimize stress from handling.
Chicks are fed an all-vegetarian diet blend of corn and soybean, plus vitamins, minerals, and plenty of fresh water.
Traditional poultry practice allows for chicks to wait until they've been transported to the farms to eat and drink, which can take up to 3 days. In contrast, Bell & Evans chicks are met with fresh litter, food and water in the chicken house within an hour of hatching.
No Antibiotics Ever...Really.
Bell & Evans is the first company to raise 100% of their flocks without antibiotics-from the egg through the chicken's entire lifespan. In fact, they haven't had to treat a flock with antibiotics in over a decade.
It all starts with animal treatment and quality food. In addition, they've pioneered a clean and stress-free environment to keep their chickens' immune systems strong and eliminating the need for antibiotics.
The chicken house goes through an extensive cleaning process between each flock. Old manure is removed and the barn is fully sanitized, then remains empty for over two weeks. No other US chicken company takes this crucial step, which is necessary to break the lifecyle of bacteria or viruses.
With Bell & Evans, antibiotic-free really means antibiotic-free.
Humane Processing Practices
With commitment to humane treatment in mind, processing keeps transportation time to a minimum with chickens transported in comfortable, spacious modular drawer systems with headroom and increased airflow. No cramped wire cages, no dumping systems. Live-haul trailers sit in a Calming Barn to reduce stress prior to harvest.
Slow Induction Anesthesia is used prior to harvest, further reducing stress on the animals.
Bell & Evans chicken is 100% air chilled. This technology eliminates the need for chlorinated water packing traditionally used by poultry producers which ends up absorbed by the meat, dilluting its natural juices and can add up to 12% of their body weight just in water. Instead, the 100% air chilled method enhances flavor and tenderizes the meat, resulting in the best tasting chicken available on the market.
A Better Way to Package Chicken
You will notice that Bell & Evans chicken is packaged differently than you are used to - with big benefts!
- Freezer Safe - You can pop it right in the freezer when you get home with no worry of freezer burn or leaks.
- BPA Free - Trays are fully recyclable and made of #1 PETE recyclable plastic.
- Resealable - Our favorite part! Bell & Evans easy-to-open trays are perfect for adding a marinade and closing right back up for cooking later.
We are proud to bring this product to our shoppers and pride ourselves on finding the best products that align with the Co-op's mission. We could go on and on about Bell & Evans chicken, but the taste is what will keep you coming back to the Co-op.
-Sue Andrews (New Pi Purchasing Director) and Joe Soukup (New Pi Meat and Seafood Coordinator)
New Pioneer Food Co-op
New Pi is a food co-operative, owned by over 35,000 members, home-grown in Iowa. We welcome everyone to our store, regardless of membership, and focus on local and sustainable food solutions. New Pi has strong roots in Iowa City’s local food community, and continues to partner with local growers, food, and sustainability organizations to enrich Linn and Johnson County communities.