Certified Humane meat category leader Niman Ranch has won an award for its commitment to sustainability and transparency.

Niman is the winner of the 2019 Good Food 100 Good Food Farmer and Purveyor of the Year award, nominated by participating 2019 Good Food 100 chefs in each region of the country. Good Food 100 is a partner of the James Beard Foundation.

“We are truly honored to be recognized as the 2019 Good Food 100 Farmer of the Year,” says Paul Willis, Niman Ranch Founding Hog Farmer. “The Niman Ranch network of 740 farmers and ranchers all share a passion for and commitment to sustainability, humane animal care and producing the finest tasting meat available. I am proud of the leadership role Niman Ranch has played in building a better food system and look forward to continuing on this journey alongside Good Food 100.”

Niman Ranch farmers and ranchers share a commitment to traditional farming, Willis says — raising livestock the way their parents and grandparents did and supporting rural communities.

All Niman Ranch livestock are raised on pasture or in deeply bedded pens where they are able to socialize, play and exhibit their natural instincts. They are never given antibiotics or added hormones, and are only fed a high-quality vegetarian diet.