What are better burgers? Better burgers can be made in a number of ways. They all start by using domestic organic and/or grass-fed beef from well-managed animals raised humanely on pasture without the use of routine antibiotics or hormones. You can make them even better by replacing 30-50% of the meat with mushrooms or veggies. By using less meat, you can cut a burger’s carbon footprint and afford healthier, better quality, third-party certified beef from local and regional producers. Better veggie burgers can be made using all organic veggies, legumes, mushrooms & grains, ideally produced by local farmers. Why serve a better burger:• It’s good for the planet, your bottom line and it tastes great.• 43% of customers want grass-fed burgers on the menu.• It has fewer calories & higher fiber, omega 3s &

antioxidants. • You will support local producers by building alternative

markets to big agribusiness. • You can reduce carbon emissions, water, pesticides &

antibiotics & hormone use.• You will help protect soil, biodiversity & habitat for bees,

butterflies & other wildlife. • Well managed pasture-based systems can increase soil

carbon sequestration.

Sourcing pre-made blended burgers:The companies listed below offer pre-made blended burger patties with varying degrees of sustainability. Most offer customizability, so be sure to ask about your specific needs. If you currently source burger patties elsewhere and are hesitant to switch, check with your supplier and see if they would be able to produce or customize a blended burger that uses grass-fed or organic meat raised with no antibiotics or hormones. Making your own blended burger in-house: There are many local suppliers who offer responsible meats in your region: West Coast, Southwest, Rocky Mountain West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast. Additional resources and recipes: betterburgers.org

Certifications to look for:

Most of the 20 billion burgers served every year are produced using massive amounts of fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and other drugs that pollute our water, air and bodies. Because beef cattle generate large methane emissions and eat mega quantities of feed, beef accounts for 34 percent of an average American’s diet-related climate-warming pollution. By serving better burgers, you can help reduce our climate impact and transform the resource intensive burger into a delicious force for better health, animal welfare, opportunity for farmers and a cleaner environment.

Wholesale Guide to Sourcing

Company Availability Distributors Percentage and type(s) of blend

Sustainability Criteria (*by request)

Other blended meats

Best way to order

Ayrshire Farm(VA)

MD,VA,WV Self Distribution

Custom ✓ No use of routine antibiotics✓ No added hormones✓ Domestic grass-fed✓ Certified organic✓ Food Alliance certified

N/A Blue Cart (user-friendly app for wholesale ordering)

Miami Beef (FL)

Nationwide All major & smaller distributors

Custom; typically 30% Mushrooms, onions, jalapenos, and more

✓ No use of routine antibiotics*✓ No added hormones*✓ Grass-fed*✓ Certified organic*

Meatballs, ground beef, sloppy joe, meatloaf, turkey, chicken, veal, pork

Email Robert Young; if currently using a wholesale distributor that they service, order through your distributor

Look for Step 4-5+

Company Availability Distributors Percentage and type(s) of blend

Sustainability Criteria (*by request)

Other blended meats

Best way to order

Superior Meats(KY)

Primary: KY & IN Secondary: Nationwide with minimum order

Self Distribution

Custom; typically 25%-Mushrooms

✓ No use of routine antibiotics*✓ No added hormones*✓ Domestic grass-fed*✓ Certified organic*

Not specifically, but customizable

Email Ben Robinson

Happy Valley Meats(MA)

Nationwide N/A N/A ✓ No use of routine antibiotics*✓ No added hormones*✓ Certified humane*✓ Domestic grass-fed*

N/A Contact

West Coast Prime Meats(CA)

Southern California, NV, AZ, HI

N/A N/A ✓ No use of routine antibiotics*✓ No added hormones*✓ Domestic grass-fed*

N/A Contact

Jensen Meat Company(CA)

West of Mississippi River

N/A Jalapenos or mushrooms and swiss cheese

✓ Domestic grass-fed* N/A Email or call (619-754-6400)

Grateful Burger(MA)

Nationwide US Foods, Sysco, Reinhart, Gordon Foods, PFG

50%-Mushrooms, corn, red peppers,jalapenos, spices, herbs

✓ No use of routine antibiotics✓ Domestic grass-fed

Meatballs and pork shoulder breakfast patty

Contact Christopher Nesson by email or phone (978-979-9890)

Arnold’s Meats(MA)

MA, CT, NH, VT, NY

Self Distribution

Mushrooms, onions, or jalapenos

✓ No use of routine antibiotics

N/A Contact

AdvancePierre Foods(OH)

Nationwide N/A 25%-Mushrooms, beans, onions

✓ No use of routine antibiotics*✓ No added hormones*

Meatballs Contact

Devault Foods(PA)

Nationwide Sysco, US Foods, Reinhart, PFG, Shamrock, Nicholas, and many small distributors

N/A ✓ No use of routine antibiotics*✓ Grass-fed*

N/A Contact

For more information, visit betterburgers.org