Where Does Simple Truth Organic Meat Come From?

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

Simple Truth Organic grass-fed beef is primarily sourced from Uruguay, a country known for its vast natural grasslands and year-round grazing conditions. This practice highlights the complexity of the global food supply chain that powers the popular Simple Truth brand, which is owned and sold exclusively by the Kroger Company.

Quick Summary

This article details the origins of Simple Truth organic meat, outlining that beef is imported from Uruguay and poultry comes from various USDA-certified suppliers, all meeting stringent organic and animal welfare guidelines.

Key Points

Sourced by Kroger: Simple Truth is a private label brand owned and sold exclusively by the Kroger Co., which partners with various certified organic suppliers.
Beef from Uruguay: Simple Truth Organic grass-fed beef is sourced from cattle raised on natural, open pastures in Uruguay.
Poultry from U.S. Suppliers: Organic, free-range chicken and other poultry are supplied by a network of U.S.-based farms that must meet USDA organic standards and Kroger's welfare policies.
Certified Organic: All Simple Truth organic meat is certified by USDA-accredited agencies, ensuring compliance with strict federal regulations regarding feed, living conditions, and the absence of antibiotics and hormones.
High Animal Welfare Standards: The brand adheres to specific animal welfare commitments, such as enriched environments and proper stocking density for poultry, and relies on robust traceability systems for its beef.
Transparency is Key: While specific farm locations may vary, the USDA certification process and Kroger's public policies provide a framework for transparency in the sourcing of Simple Truth organic products.

Who Owns the Simple Truth Brand?

Simple Truth is Kroger's flagship natural and organic house brand. Since its launch in 2012, the brand has grown to offer thousands of products and has become the largest natural and organic brand in the country. As a private label, Kroger works with a network of certified organic growers, processors, and handlers to produce the items sold under the Simple Truth name. This approach means the sourcing can vary depending on the product, requiring an examination of specific meat types to understand their origin.

The Journey of Simple Truth Organic Beef

Simple Truth Organic grass-fed beef has a specific international origin. Kroger confirms that all of its Simple Truth Organic™ Grass-Fed Beef is sourced from animals born, raised, and slaughtered in Uruguay. This South American country is prized for its climate, which allows for year-round outdoor grazing on open pastures, a core principle of grass-fed cattle production. The cattle are primarily Aberdeen Angus and Hereford breeds, renowned for producing high-quality meat.

Uruguayan Beef and Organic Certification

Uruguay's beef industry is well-regulated, with mandatory traceability for 100% of cattle, a system that tracks each animal from birth. This provides a high degree of assurance regarding the product's origin and history. For Simple Truth's organic beef, this process is validated by USDA National Organic Program standards. Key requirements met include:

No added hormones or growth promotants ever.
No antibiotics ever.
100% grass diet, free from pesticides and herbicides.
Verification by a USDA-accredited third-party certifying agency.

The Source of Simple Truth Organic Poultry

Unlike the internationally sourced beef, Simple Truth's organic poultry, such as chicken and turkey, comes from a network of different U.S.-based suppliers. These suppliers must adhere to strict USDA organic standards and Kroger's specific animal welfare policies. While some specific farms may not be publicly named, Kroger has published its animal welfare commitments, which apply to its entire poultry supply chain.

Animal Welfare Commitments for Simple Truth Poultry

Kroger's Animal Welfare Policy outlines several key commitments regarding the welfare of broiler chickens, including:

Housing Density: A maximum stocking density of 6.0 lbs. per square foot and the prohibition of cages.
Enriched Environments: Providing birds with enriched environments, including litter, lighting, and other enrichments to encourage natural behaviors.
Humane Handling: Processing chickens in a manner that avoids pre-stun handling.
Free-Range Access: Simple Truth Organic chicken products are labeled as "free range," meaning the chickens have access to the outdoors. This aligns with USDA organic standards for poultry, which require outdoor access.

The Importance of Transparency and Certification

The inherent complexity of private-label sourcing can sometimes lead to questions about transparency, a topic raised in online forums regarding specific product origins. However, for a product to carry the USDA Organic seal, it must undergo rigorous certification and auditing by a third-party agency. This independent verification process ensures that the products meet all federal standards for organic production, regardless of the individual farmer or supplier.

Simple Truth Organic Beef vs. Poultry Sourcing


Feature	Simple Truth Organic Grass-Fed Beef	Simple Truth Organic Free-Range Chicken
Primary Sourcing Location	Uruguay	Various U.S.-based suppliers
Animal Diet	100% grass-fed on organic pastures	100% vegetarian-fed with organic feed
Housing/Rearing	Free-range on vast pampas	Free-range with outdoor access
Antibiotics/Hormones	No antibiotics or hormones ever	No antibiotics or hormones ever
Welfare Standards	Complies with high Uruguayan standards	Adheres to Kroger's internal policy with specific welfare commitments
Traceability	Mandatory, robust system in Uruguay	Dependent on USDA organic certification and Kroger's supplier requirements

Conclusion

Understanding where Simple Truth organic meat comes from involves looking beyond a single farm and recognizing the brand's network of certified suppliers. Simple Truth Organic grass-fed beef is a product of Uruguay's natural grasslands, while its poultry adheres to stringent USDA organic and Kroger's own animal welfare standards from diverse U.S. sources. For consumers, the USDA Organic certification provides assurance that these products meet federal standards, including the absence of antibiotics, added hormones, and synthetic pesticides. While the supply chain is complex, Kroger's brand commitments and the certification process provide the basis for the quality consumers expect. For more information on Kroger's stance on animal welfare, review their official Animal Welfare Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the sourcing for Simple Truth organic meat varies. For example, the brand's organic grass-fed beef comes from Uruguay, while its organic poultry is supplied by various U.S. producers.

No, according to USDA organic standards, which Simple Truth products follow, livestock must be raised without antibiotics or added hormones ever.

Yes, Simple Truth Organic chicken products are labeled as "free range" and are sourced from farms that provide outdoor access, consistent with USDA organic regulations for poultry.

As a private label, Kroger sources its organic meat from a network of certified suppliers rather than a single farm. While specific farm names are not typically disclosed, the products are backed by the USDA organic certification, which ensures adherence to federal standards.

All Simple Truth organic meat products carry the USDA Organic seal. This signifies that a USDA-accredited third-party agency has certified that the meat was produced without prohibited substances like synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and in compliance with all other organic regulations.

Kroger's Animal Welfare Policy includes specific commitments for its Simple Truth poultry, such as limiting stocking density and providing enriched environments. For beef, it relies on the standards set in Uruguay, which is known for robust animal welfare regulations.

Yes, the sourcing location and feeding method can influence the taste. The grass-fed beef from Uruguay benefits from the country's year-round grazing conditions, which can result in a distinct flavor profile compared to grain-fed beef.