ARAMARK Recognized by Humane Society of the United States for Improving Animal Welfare
Eliminates Gestation Crates and Battery Cages from Supply Chain
May 14, 2013 /3BL Media/ - ARAMARK – a global professional services provider and the largest U.S.-based food service company – has been named recipient of the 2012 Henry Spira Humane Corporate Progress Award for the company’s work in its supply chain to help improve conditions of farm animals confined in crates and cages.
The Henry Spira Humane Corporate Progress Awards recognizes and celebrates corporations, individual businesspeople, and other innovators and entrepreneurs for their contributions to the advancement of animal welfare, and to inspire others to include humane concern for animals as a core aspect of corporate responsibility.
In 2012, ARAMARK announced that it plans to eliminate all pork from animals bred using gestation crates from its U.S. supply chain by 2017. It also announced that it will source all shell eggs within the U.S. from cage-free hens by the end of 2014.
“Working in partnership with our suppliers, ARAMARK is taking steps to help move the entire food industry toward improved conditions for animals,” said Kathy Cacciola, Senior Director, Environmental Sustainability. “These actions exemplify ARAMARK’s long-standing commitment to responsible business practices in the industries we serve.”
Josh Balk, director of corporate policy for the Humane Society of the United States, said: “For the past year, ARAMARK has helped improve farm animal welfare by committing to source all cage-free shell eggs and gestation crate-free pork. We welcome ARAMARK’s tremendous progress and hope more major food companies join this movement.”
“These awards recognize the critical role that the marketplace plays in addressing animal issues and reinforces our commitment to the integration of humane principles within business and industry,” Balk added.
The Corporate Progress Awards are given in memory of Henry Spira (1927-1998), the pioneering animal advocate whose collaborative approach to issues succeeded in persuading many major corporations to join with animal protectionists in pursuit of common interests.
Other companies that received the Corporate Progress Award for their work improving animal welfare in 2012 include Burger King, CeeTox, Sodexo and Consumer Specialty Products Association.
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Media Contact:
Anna West, awest@humanesociety.org, 301-258-1518
Subscribe to Wayne Pacelle’s blog, A Humane Nation. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.
About The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK delivers experiences that enrich and nourish people's lives through innovative food, facility, and uniform services. Our more than 250,000 employees around the world demonstrate our corporate responsibility values every day, and we are recognized among the Most Admired Companies by Fortune and World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
