One pink pig stands with its head raised with other pigs surrounding it.

What Do Pigs Eat?

You may have heard that pigs will eat anything. And that is completely true! Pigs are omnivores and are typically not picky about their food. They will eat pretty much anything they find in front of them, including meat. But just because they will eat meat doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best thing for them to consume. 

In nature, pigs root around and eat a variety of things - vegetables, fruits, insects, worms, mushrooms, eggs, and occasionally small mammals. They are opportunistic in their eating, so they will consume what is available to them at the moment. Like other creatures, pigs require certain nutritional elements that they need to survive. 

Pederson’s Pig's Diets

All of our pigs are fed a balanced vegetarian diet consisting of soybeans and corn with added vitamins and minerals. While pigs in the wild may eat meat sometimes, pigs on farms and pet pigs that are given meat may become ill. Eating meat can also cause high blood pressure and heart disease in pigs. 

We insist our pigs grow at a natural rate. With no growth promotants, hormones, steroids or antibiotics, our pigs grow slower than those at industrial “farms.” That is just fine with us because we’re doing our part to control superbugs, and it produces the best tasting pork we’ve ever eaten.

We work with self-sustaining family farms because they’re good stewards of their land, and, like us, they feel the ethical and moral obligation to provide their pigs with a comfortable and stress-free life.

What do we mean when we say self-sustaining farms? We mean that our farmers are diversified. Not only do they raise pigs the good ol’ fashioned way, but they also use natural fertilization, and they often farm much of the grain used to feed those pigs. It allows for a higher quality, well-monitored feed free of animal by-products.

Our farmers have been a part of their local communities for generations. They shop, bank, and cultivate relationships with local businesses. By buying our pork, you are creating and supporting sustainable rural communities.