Springer Mountain Farms is a proud partner with the American Humane Association in their farm program and was the first poultry producer in the world to be Humanely Certified. Read the AMERICAN HUMANE FARM PROGRAM NEWSLETTER for Spring 2021 to learn more about the farm program and our part in providing America with a healthy, delicious and affordable chicken that is humanely raised.
(Celebrate Warm Weather by Grilling Humanely from American Humane Farm Program Newsletter Spring 2021)
With the days growing longer and the weather warming up, families everywhere are excited by the onset of cookout season. Grill covers will be removed, propane and charcoal restocked, and the quintessential American tradition of backyard barbecues will commence. During this time, it is important for families to grill humanely.
Grilling humanely means considering the standards of welfare for animals on farms and ranches. American Humane encourages shoppers everywhere to seek out products that come from humane farms that have been audited and certified for their exemplary animal welfare policies and practices.
As the share of Americans who work direct on-farm jobs dwindles, it is important for organizations like American Humane to communicate effectively with consumers about what is important about on-farm welfare. Sadly, fewer Americans are working the jobs that used to keep them in close contact with their food source, now accounting for just 1.3 percent of total U.S. employment. That’s why American Humane continues to aggressively communicate to the broader public the importance of third-party, science-based welfare programs that actually improve the living conditions of farm animals.
The voice of animal welfare needs to be impartial, informed by science and independent.
Over the past two decades, American Humane has seen tremendous growth in our American Humane CertifiedTM program and the ensuing interest in animal welfare from ethically minded consumers. Even if individual shoppers do not know all that goes into raising animals humanely, they trust the American Humane CertifiedTM seal to communicate which farms and ranches are going above and beyond industry standards to do right by the animals in their care.
As our certified producers continue their excellent work providing nutritious, delicious, affordable food to families, American Humane will continue diligently communicating to home cooks the necessity to grill and set humane tables this spring and summer.
To kick off grilling season, try out this recipe for Chicken Souvlaki:
Chicken Souvlaki
4-6
Jonathan & Athena Penson
45 Min
10 Min
55 Min
Ingredients
- 1 lb Springer Mountain Farms Boneless Skinless Thighs or Breasts, cut into 1" cubes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons Greek olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 tablespoons gluten free chicken broth (if using sauté method)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Tzatziki sauce
- Pita bread/lettuce leaves
- Bamboo skewers
Instructions
- If grilling, soak bamboo skewers in warm water for at least 30 minutes.
- Cut the chicken thighs/breasts into 1" cubes, place in a zipper top plastic bag and set aside.
- Prepare chicken marinade in a small bowl by combining minced garlic, cumin, lemon juice, oregano, olive oil and pepper.
- Pour marinade over chicken in bag, shake to coat all chicken pieces and let marinate 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Add salt just before you are ready to cook.
- Place marinated chicken pieces on the bamboo skewers that have been soaking.
- Grill over medium-high heat until internal temperature of chicken is 165°F. If sautéing cook in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat for approximately 4 to 6 minutes, add chicken broth, and continue to sauté until the chicken is fully cooked (about 4 more minutes).
- Drizzle lemon juice over cooked chicken.
- Serve with a salad or on pita bread or lettuce wraps with tzatziki sauce.
