FAQ

Atkins Ranch is a collective of over 100 family owned farms across New Zealand’s North Island. As passionate farmers, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality, 100% grass fed and pasture raised lamb that is exceptionally healthy and flavorful.

We suggest cooking our 100% grass fed, lean cuts just as you would any other premium red meat to your desired level of doneness. Because our lamb is so lean, you may need to adjust your typical cooking times downward. Be sure to reference our recommended internal temperature guidelines for the best results.

Atkins Ranch lamb is expertly processed in state-of-the-art facilities in New Zealand. Our advanced packaging system seals the meat in a controlled atmosphere, significantly extending its storage life and allowing it to naturally “age” for consistently tender and flavorful results. With great care, this premium lamb is then shipped in refrigerated containers to the USA.

Not at this time. All of our lambs are 100% grass fed and pasture raised with no antibiotics or added hormones.

Yes! Grass fed lamb is a naturally leaner meat packed with a powerhouse of essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and a robust B-complex (B12, niacin, B6, B1, B2, and biotin) – all vital for overall well-being. Compared to grain-fed lamb, this pasture raised boasts more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and E, and conjugated linoleic acid – a “good” fat linked to reduced body fat and cancer risk.

Yes.

Absolutely! We were the world’s first lamb producer to achieve both Global Animal Partnership Step 4 accreditation and Non-GMO Project verification. Our farmers are deeply committed to caring for their animals and land with the utmost compassion and consideration, working in harmony with the natural ecosystems to maintain the pristine environment. Many have dedicated areas of their ranches to conservation, focused on regenerating the land and water. We provide full traceability of our lamb, from shelf to the farm where it was raised.

The farms of Atkins Ranch are located primarily in New Zealand’s temperate regions, where the climate remains relatively mild year-round, enabling consistent grass growth. The success of New Zealand’s farm lands can be attributed largely to their practice of rotational grazing management, which involves regularly moving lambs to fresh pastures.

Our lambs are 100% grass fed, pasture raised and free to roam the rolling green hills of New Zealand. There is no place for feedlots in our farming practices.

Lambs are ruminant animals, biologically adapted to thrive on a diet of grass. This natural forage not only keeps them content and healthy, but also produces meat that is nutritionally superior. In contrast, industrially-raised livestock are typically confined to feedlots and given an unnatural diet of grain, often supplemented with growth hormones and antibiotics to compensate for the unsanitary living conditions. A grass fed diet is not only better for the animals, but also yields healthier, more flavorful meat for consumers.

We take pride in our commitment to ethical, sustainable practices. Unlike animals raised in industrial feedlots, our livestock live in clean, humane conditions that allow them to thrive naturally, without the need for growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. We firmly believe in letting our animals’ health and wellbeing come first, which is why you’ll never find these additives in our products.

The Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Step 4 certification recognizes farmers who raise their animals in animal welfare-friendly environments. To maintain this accreditation, every Atkins Ranch GAP Step 4 farm must undergo a third-party audit every 15 months to verify they meet GAP’s rigorous standards. This program provides consumers with the assurance that the meat they purchase has been raised to the highest animal welfare standards. For more information on Global Animal Partnership accreditation, please visit www.globalanimalpartnership.org.

The Non-GMO Project Verified seal offers shoppers confidence that a product has undergone a rigorous, third-party verification process to ensure compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard. When it comes to food labeling, independent third-party certifications are the gold standard, as they guarantee an unbiased, thorough, and transparent verification process. For more details on Non-GMO Project verification, visit www.nongmoproject.org.

Land to Market Verified signifies that a product comes from land that is verified as regenerating and having a net-positive impact on the environment, backed by scientific data through the Savory Institute’s Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) protocol. EOV is a scientific protocol that monitors soil, water, air, and animals to assess the health and performance of the land. By choosing products with the Land to Market Verified seal, consumers can contribute to a regenerative future and support farmers who are managing their land in a sustainable way.