ARAMARK, a world leader in professional services, 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,” says 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 foodservice 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,” says Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS. “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 says. Many farmers, animal scientists, consumers, and companies in the foodservice industry are working to phase out gestation crates and provide more humane breeding environments.
