At Good Eggs, we select beers and ciders with a preference to local brewers (San Francisco Bay Area & California). For domestic (non-California) and international producers, we source with an eye towards traditional, best of class, unique, seasonal, exclusivity, P.O.C. etc.
In order to be considered for inclusion in our marketplace, all beers & cider must meet the following baseline criteria:
Transparency
The brewers/growers/suppliers we work with directly must be fully transparent and be able to present documentation as requested. Where applicable, all brewers/growers/suppliers we work with demonstrate compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
GMOs
Good Eggs does not allow GMO grains/fruit/hops in the marketplace. We have implemented a sourcing system in which the following standards must be met:
- All producers must share proof of 3rd party non-GMO certification for their products or a letter of guarantee that products containing the following ingredients (canola, corn, sugar beets, soy, whole fruits & vegetables) are non-GMO certified.
- In accordance with our dairy and meat criteria, GMO-inputs in animal feed are not allowed.
- All products are free of ingredients produced via gene editing, which is also known as GMO 2.0 or CRISPR technology.
Every product we’ve added to our Marketplace since July 2018 meets these standards, and we are committed to reviewing all previously added products for compliance by the end of 2020.
Farming Practices
In the case of grower/producers, Good Eggs select beers & cider from sustainable farms and orchards with a preference toward certified (or verified practicing) organic and/or biodynamic processes.
- Sustainable farming means:
- For small producers (under 10,000 cases per year):
- Direct relationship with farmers.
- Brewer/cidermaker has a signed affidavit guaranteeing that they don’t use any pesticides, fertilizers or other inputs that are not allowed under the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
- If we have a direct relationship with the grower and they’ve worked with us to develop a plan to meet the above exception within three years, and are currently not using any substance on the prohibited substance list.
- At least 1 sustainable program - water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- Direct relationship with farmers.
- For medium and import producers (under 50,000 cases per year):
- Majority organic farming (practiced, not certified) or better, or plan to execute to this standard over time
- Multiple sustainable programs ongoing - water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- For large producers (over 50,000 cases per year):
- Completely organically farmed or equivalent/better (practiced and documented, not certified) or have a defined plan to execute to this standard in a stated timeframe
- Multiple sustainable programs ongoing - renewable energy, supporting land regeneration, water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- For small producers (under 10,000 cases per year):
Beer / Cider Making Practices
At Good Eggs, we don’t allow artificial chemical additions in the brewery. Any flavoring additives (i.e.: fruit/spice/herb/etc) are naturally derived with minimal to no chemical intervention. These flavors will adhere to GMO/Farming practices as listed above. Furthermore:
- No use of artificial flavors, colorants, preservatives, sweeteners and/or thickeners/emulsifiers
- No DMDC. Dimethyl dicarbonate is primarily used as a beverage preservative and sterilant.
- No Acetaldehyde. This chemical is used for color stabilization.
- If we have a direct relationship with the brewer/cidermaker, any further chemical exceptions will come as a result of a signed affidavit and full transparent disclosure.
- List of unallowable ingredients found here
Labor Practices
Taken from Produce Sourcing Criteria
All beer/cider must come from producer/growers or vendors who have filled out a detailed Labor Practice Standards questionnaire that guarantees that they adhere to the following criteria:
- No forced labor or human trafficking used directly or via their supply chain
- No prison labor used directly or via their supply chain
- No child labor used directly or via their supply chain
- All employees are paid at least minimum wage
- All contracted employees are paid at least minimum wage
- Regular labor practice audits of suppliers, where feasible, or signed affidavits that they also meet our labor standards.
- Growers must not discriminate in any employment practices, including hiring, based on any California protected class.
- Growers must create a workplace free of coercion and harassment. Employees must be treated with dignity and respect.
- Growers must have a reporting process that provides multiple accessible resources for reporting, including resources independent from management.
- Growers may not retaliate against employees for reporting harassment.
- Growers must promptly and thoroughly investigate claims of harassment.
- Growers must periodically train employees on harassment policies.
- Growers must provide employees with a safe working environment, following all applicable health and safety laws.
- Employees must be able to take sick leave when ill without retaliation.
- Employees must be able to unionize or otherwise collectively organize for their interests without retaliation.
- For Imports: if coming from a country with labor issues, some way to certify fair labor (i.e. fair trade)
- Central America
- South America
- African continent