I buy my eggs from a local farmer. Their two children are responsible for them and earn money from the sales. I believe they are free range.

Just when I THOUGHT that organic eggs were the best egg:( After reading Kathleens comment I'm not so sure. How about eggs that have been made by making the animals welfare the #1 priority FIRST..then all of the good things for the eggs will follow. Our food has become so.."tainted" since I was a child. It is really scary when you "take your head out of the sand" and really learn the truth behind our food supply..MEAT AND EGGS being right up there.

As you note above, it's important for shoppers to consider the fact that there is not a great deal of standardization in the way eggs from "free range" and "cage free" chickens are certified. Also, there are other factors for animal welfare in the egg/chicken industry, such as what is done with male chicks that are born (they are killed) and what is done with the chickens after they pass egg-laying stage of life (they are also killed). This has little to do with environmental issues (unless all of killed baby male chicks creates a negative impact?), however to receive the green "check" above in the chart for "animal welfare," these things should perhaps be considered.