In our continuing effort to engage corporations in our work to phase out the use of gestation crates in the pork industry, The HSUS welcomes the following announcement from Aramark, an international food service company based in Philadelphia:
ARAMARK, a world leader in professional services, today announced it plans to eliminate all pork from animals bred using gestation crates in ARAMARK’s U.S. supply chain by 2017. The announcement by ARAMARK was made in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest animal protection organization.
ARAMARK and HSUS have been collaborating to put in place a plan that would address gestation crate issues by working with the company’s suppliers to eliminate the utilization of crates within their supply chains. In addition to major food companies addressing this issue, nine states have also passed laws banning gestation crates, including states like Colorado, Ohio and Michigan.
“ARAMARK is proud to stand in partnership with other industry leaders and supply chain partners to transition away from gestation crates in a timely fashion,” said Kathy Cacciola, ARAMARK’s Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability. “We’re committed to operating responsibly and addressing key issues, including animal welfare, throughout our supply chain and business, and this commitment helps move the entire industry toward the elimination of gestation crates.”
To meet this goal, ARAMARK has asked its primary pork suppliers to develop plans for reducing, and then eliminating gestation crates. Working with the suppliers, ARAMARK will then take steps to provide gestation crate-free pork throughout its supply chain by 2017.
In addition, ARAMARK will begin immediately to require new supplier contracts for pork to provide a plan that addresses how they will phase out gestation creates to meet these important goals.
“ARAMARK is the largest U.S.-based food service company taking a stand on this issue and the company’s decision to eliminate pork from methods using gestation crates is a move toward even greater social responsibility,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “ARAMARK has been a great partner to work with, and we applaud its decision to develop a proactive transition plan to 2017.”
Gestation crates confine breeding pigs 24 hours a day during their four-month pregnancy, Pacelle said. Many farmers, animal scientists, consumers and companies in the food service industry are working to phase out gestation crates and provide more humane breeding environments.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, parks and destinations and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by the Ethisphere Institute, one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” by FORTUNE magazine and one of America’s Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 250,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at www.twitter.com/aramarknews.
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