Plastic has become the easy option on most farms. It’s cheap, lightweight, and everywhere. What most people don’t realize is that plastic doesn’t just sit there. It breaks down over time. When it does, those particles end up in soil, water, and eventually your food.
At Crescent Moon Farms, we decided from day one to do things differently. That’s why we use steel feeders and waterers instead of plastic. It’s a small detail with a big impact: keeping microplastics out of your food.
What Are Microplastics and Why Do They Matter?
Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic, often invisible to the naked eye, that break down from larger plastic products. Once they enter the environment, they contaminate water, soil, and even the food chain.
- Recent studies have found microplastics in everything from bottled water to seafood, and even in human blood and breast milk.
- Exposure to microplastics has been linked to inflammation, hormonal disruption, and long-term health concerns.
If plastic breaks down in a trough or feeder, animals ingest those particles. And what animals ingest, we ingest.
Why Plastic Farming Equipment Falls Short
On many farms, plastic is the default. It’s cheap, lightweight, and easy to replace. But it comes at a hidden cost that ripples through the food system. Recent studies published within the National Center for Biotechnology Information have highlighted the serious impact and very real risk of microplastics on animals and their subsequent impact on humans.
- It breaks down in sunlight and weather. That means microplastics leach into feed and water.
- It wears out quickly. Plastic troughs and bins often crack and need replacing every few years, adding waste and cost.
- It contaminates quietly. Even when a feeder looks “clean,” it may already be shedding particles.
For a farm built around integrity, plastic isn’t an option.
Why Steel Is the Smarter Choice
Steel isn’t just tougher—it’s safer and cleaner for both animals and people. Here’s why it matters:
- Durability: Steel withstands weather, animals, and time without breaking down into harmful particles.
- Food safety: No leaching, no microplastics, no hidden contamination.
- Sustainability: Steel can last for decades and be recycled at the end of its life—unlike plastic.
By choosing plastic-free farming tools, we’re making sure the water our animals drink and the feed they eat stays pure because we are what we eat, and so are they.
How Plastic-Free Farming Impacts Your Plate
Using steel feeders and waterers may seem like a small choice, but it has big results.
- Cleaner feed and water = healthier animals.
- Healthier animals = nutrient-rich meat and eggs.
- Nutrient-rich food = better health for you and your family.
When you buy from Crescent Moon Farms, you’re not just getting pasture-raised chicken, eggs, and beef. You’re getting peace of mind that your food is being raised without shortcuts. This is one of the many ways we stick to our promise: real food, raised right, no shortcuts.
How You Can Take Action
Reducing microplastics in food starts with awareness. Here’s what you can do:
- Choose farms that commit to plastic-free farming practices.
- At home, use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel instead of plastic food storage.
- Support farmers who build operations around soil health, animal health, and food safety.
Every choice you make helps reduce the plastic problem.
Final Word: Real Food, No Shortcuts
At Crescent Moon Farms, we believe that raising real food means paying attention to every detail, even the materials that hold water and feed. By choosing steel from the very beginning, we’re protecting our animals, our soil, and your food.
If you care about food integrity, soil health, and protecting your family from hidden toxins, follow along with Crescent Moon Farms as we keep raising the bar on what farming should be.
👉 Follow us on Instagram @crescentmoonfarmsmd for more on how we’re reshaping the future of food.
