There’s a lot that goes into making food that’s truly healthy for human beings, humane for the animals, and doesn’t harm the planet in the process. For those who care deeply about the food they eat and the producers they support, here’s more information about our products and the food industry at large.
What is the difference between “natural pork” and “pasture-raised pork”?
The USDA defines natural as: A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed. That means “natural pork” can still be fed conventional GMO grain, kept inside in a confinement facility, and be given antibiotics and growth stimulants. You really have to ask specifically how the pig was raised and what it ate if you want to know the details. Our pigs are raised outdoors on grass. Pasture-based pigs can wallow, frolic, and express their “pigginess.” We use non-GMO supplemental feed rather than conventional GMO feed. (All pigs get some supplemental feed, it is not possible to raise a pig only on a grass.) The supplemental non-GMO feed our farmers provide is more expensive than conventional GMO grain, but we think it is worth it.
I’m interested in wholesale pricing. How do I reach you?
If you are interested in purchasing wholesale, please contact us at accounting@singingpastures.com
What is your return policy?
We want you to purchase with confidence so we offer a 45-day money-back guarantee. Singing Pastures values our community, and we are committed to providing you with the best product and customer service we can. If you aren't satisfied with your experience with us, we will give you a full refund of the product price (less shipping and handling fees). Please use our contact form to let us know the reason for the return. Then send the empty or unused portion of your product order back to us at:
Singing Pastures, PO Box 535, Damariscotta, ME 04543
We must receive your return within 45 days of your billing date for the refund to apply. All charges are fully refundable (less shipping and handling fees).
Please note we cannot accept returns or offer refunds on products that have spoiled due to improper storage on your part. Please view our FAQs on Roam Sticks for proper storage instructions.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes! Shipping is free for orders of $75 or more with standard shipping.
Where do you ship?
Anywhere in the United States. Additional charges apply for Alaska and Hawaii.
When will I get my order?
We ship our products Monday-Wednesday. Tracking is sent when your order is on its way.
Most orders received by 12 PM CST on Monday-Wednesday will be sent out that same day. Orders received Thursday-Sunday will ship out the following Monday.
For orders placed on Wednesday: If the courier estimates more than a 2-day transit time, we may hold your order until the following Monday to ensure it will not sit in a shipping warehouse over the weekend.
If we are backordered, it may take longer. There has been some issues with labor shortages in fulfillment and shipping since Covid. If your order hasn't shipped, let us know. If your order is more than a week late, we will send you a discount code towards a future purchase. We will do our best to resolve it, but sometimes it is beyond our control and you may need to wait for your order.
What breed of pigs do you use for your pork products?
Our pigs are all heritage varieties, predominantly Berkshire, Large Black, and Tamworth. These are all breeds that have not had the flavor breed out of them like the modern pigs in most Big Pig operations. We also select for pigs for their ability to graze forages and get part of their diet from pasture.
Do you use nitrates?
There are no nitrites or nitrates added to our products. We use celery juice powder and sea salt, which have naturally occurring nitrates.
There is a lot of misunderstanding around this topic and we'd like to help bring some clarity. Nitrates come in many forms and if you eat bacon, hot dogs, ham, salami you are eating nitrates, even if the label says "uncured" or "no nitrates added". The good news is meat products are a small portion of your daily nitrate intake, the majority of the nitrates we consume come vegetables.
What is lactic acid starter culture? Does it contain dairy?
The sugars used to create this lactic acid can be derived from beets or dextrose. The lactic acid starter culture is not derived from wheat or dairy and do not contain any milk or milk protein. Therefore, the products are still considered to be lactose and casein free.
How long will my Roam Sticks last?
Refer to the “BEST BY” date on your stick. The shelf life is 6 to 9 months from manufacture. A “Slim Jim” like product will have a shelf life of a year or more, but they use a lot of preservatives and chemicals to achieve that. We decided to go with the traditional preservation methods of natural fermentation and real, wood smoke. The shelf life is shorter this way, but we believe it is better for your health.
Why is it important to buy meat that is free of antibiotics?
Conventional pork is grown by by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) that can produce a lot of food at a low cost. (CAFOs are also often referred to as ”factory farms.”) The animals spend their entire lives indoors, crowded together. Antibiotics are given daily, not only to kill bacteria, but also because they promote faster growth in the pigs. The routine use of antibiotics in pigs is contributing to creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria that affects both pigs and humans. This can create “superbugs” that transfer from hogs to people. For example, MRSA infections, a problem in hospitals, have been traced back to pig factory to CAFOs. Seventy percent of antibiotic use in this country is for agriculture, not for humans. While doctors and scientists have been concerned about antibiotic resistance for years, the evidence is increasing—we must do something now, before the “superbugs” render most antibiotics useless. You can choose to protect one of the most important tools in medicine—choose antibiotic-free meat.
Why is there organic dextrose in the ingredients?
Roam Sticks are fermented, similar to yogurt or sourdough bread. The process of fermentation requires there be some type of sweetener present for the beneficial bacteria to eat. We provide organic tapioca (as dextrose) for the probiotic bacteria used in Roam Sticks to eat. The dextrose is eaten by the bacteria during the fermentation process.
Most other snack sticks use a cheaper, mass-produced process to make their product shelf-stable. It involves using citric or lactic acid coated with hydrogenated vegetable oil and is called “encapsulated citric acid” or "encapsulated lactic acid". Because hydrogenated vegetable oil contains a trans fat, it does not meet our standard of truly clean ingredients. Legally, trans fats do not need to be listed on the nutrient deck if there is less than .5 g, (even though it is still there.) We don’t use encapsulated acids of any kind, because we value the flavor and health benefits of real food.
Can I get a sample for free?
We would love to give away free things, but a family-owned business, we are working hard to grow. We can provide samples for potential wholesale accounts, but not individuals. If you would like to try our product, we recommend the Variety Pack with 2 sticks of each flavor.
What is so different about Roam Sticks’ pork?
We focus on the most important ingredient, the meat. We guarantee that our pork is pasture raised, non-GMO, antibiotic free, free of growth stimulants (like ractopamine), and from small family farms in the United States. By focusing on non-GMO, pasture raised animal production, we create better-tasting pork while utilizing sustainable farming practices. This type of farming is better for the pigs, the environment, and makes a healthier snack for you and your family.
What is ractopamine and why don’t you feed it to pigs?
The growth stimulant, ractopamine, is administered in most conventional factory farms to make pigs put on lean muscle mass more quickly. Ractopamine belongs to a class of drugs, beta-agonists, that has been adapted for animal use when it was shown to boost growth rates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ractopamine for use on pigs after just one human health study—an evaluation of six young, healthy men, one of whom dropped out because his heart began racing and pounding abnormally. Three years later, the FDA sent ractopamine sponsor a 14-page letter, accusing the company of withholding information about the drug’s “adverse animal drug experiences” and “safety and effectiveness.” Shortly thereafter, the FDA required drug manufacturers to add this warning label: “Ractopamine may increase the number of injured and/or fatigued pigs during marketing. Not for use in breeding swine.” Ractopamine has been banned in 160 countries, including China and Russia because of concern about its effects’ on human health. So, even though it is a common practice to feed it to conventional pigs, we just don’t think it’s a good idea. All of Singing Pastures' pork is 100% ractopamine free.
How should I store my Roam Sticks?
It’s best to store your product in a cool, dry place such as a shelf or pantry. Don’t store them in a hot car for days on end. Do not keep your sticks sitting out unrefrigerated after opening. Our sticks are not designed for storage once you open the package and expose them to the air.
How much fat, protein, and carbs do Roam Sticks have?
Here is the breakdown: Hickory Smoked Pork with Uncured Bacon: 100 calories, 9 g fat, 4 g protein, 0 g carb, and 240 mg sodium. Hickory Smoked Pork with Pineapple: 70 calories, 5 g fat, 5 g protein, 1 g carb, and 230 mg sodium. Jalapeno: 100 calories, 8 g fat, 4 g protein, 1 g carb, 240 mg of sodium.
How do you make Roam Sticks shelf-stable?
Roam Sticks use the traditional, artisanal process of natural fermentation and smoking to make our sticks shelf-stable. Other companies use encapsulated citric acid (which contains a hydrogenated oil) and liquid (chemical) smoke to preserve their sticks. This means with Roam Sticks you get the health benefits of a probiotic food, rather than the health damaging effects of hydrogenated oils.
What is the casing made out of and how is it different than other snack sticks?
The casing for Roam Sticks is made out of beef collagen. Roam Sticks exclusively uses dye-free collagen casings. This is important because red dye is considered an industry standard for snack stick collagen casings. That means other sticks can have red dye in the casing, and it will NOT be listed on the ingredients. If a snack stick or sausage looks unnaturally red, it probably has red dye, even if you don’t see it written anywhere on the label.
Are your sticks Gluten Free?
Yes, all of the ingredients are free of gluten. They are made at a USDA approved facility that only makes snack sticks. However, they do not have a third party “gluten-free” certification.
How long do I need to keep a subscription?
Subscriptions are a minimum of three purchases. The
first order is 15% off, and the subsequent orders are 10% off. After 3
billing cycles you can cancel your subscription.