Pigs
All our piglets are born OUTSIDE
That's the meaning of ‘outdoor-bred', a term used on our packaging. Waitrose was the first supermarket to promise all piglets on its farms were born outside. Their mothers, the breeding sows, live their whole lives outdoors in the fresh air – no exceptions.
Norfolk farmer Wayne shows us how he cares for the pigs he rears for Waitrose
All our fresh pork comes from British farmers we know and trust – and that includes sausages, bacon, British ham, gammon and any ingredients in prepared food and ready meals, such as sandwiches and pies.
MEET the farmer
If you’ve ever wondered what a contented pig looks like, look no further than Michael and Ian Baker’s Norfolk farm. Living in the open air, where they can dig about and wallow in mud as they please, these are very obviously happy animals. “We give them a good quality of life,” says Michael, “with lots of space to roam.”
The Baker brothers’ free-range pigs live in small herds, each on a two-acre plot, with a canvas tent for protection from sun and rain, straw beds and access to fresh water whenever they want it.
Michael and Ian Baker are committed to trying out ways to improve animal welfare on their Norfolk farm
‘It’s very satisfying to see the result of all that hard work – healthy, contented stock'
“In the 30-plus years the farmers have been supplying Waitrose, Ian and Michael have raised their already high welfare standards. “We’ve found better ways to do things and keep trying to improve,” says Michael.
Switching to feeding the sows from a long trough, rather than from the ground made a big difference. “It means in winter the sows can easily get to the food. It’s not just fired across a muddy field where it gets tramped in,” says Michael. It also makes sure the pushiest sows don’t – excuse the pun – hog the food. “Because they’re all eating in a line, it’s easier to check each sow is feeding,” says Ian.
“Our team here on the farm put in a lot of hard work and dedication, looking after the pigs the way we do,” says Michael. “It’s very satisfying to see the result of all that hard work – healthy, contented stock.”