Panorama at the Peak Restaurant Commits to Certified Humane® Foods

Panorama at the Peak, the landmark mountain-top restaurant in Berkeley Springs, W.V., has joined 12 other U.S. restaurants in the Restaurant Recognition Program of the nonprofit organization Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC).

Panorama at the Peak purchases much of its meat and poultry from Certified Humane producer Ayrshire Farm, an 800-acre organic farm in Upperville, Va. By next spring, it will add two lamb dishes from Border Springs Farm, a Certified Humane farm, to its menu. “Our goal has been to create a sustainable restaurant that’s committed to serving healthy, sustainably produced food,” said Patti Miller, co-owner of Panorama at the Peak. “When we buy from farms that practice humane animal treatment, we believe we’re contributing to human health as well.” Additional information about Panorama at the Peak can be found at www.panoramaatthepeak.com .

The Certified Humane Raised and Handled label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced according to HFAC’s precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior. Since HFAC’s program was unveiled in May 2003, more than 65 companies, representing hundreds of farms, have been certified. Restaurants that support the Certified Humane program are located in Virginia, South Carolina, California, New York and now West Virginia. For a list of other restaurants that serve food from “Certified Humane” producers, go to www.certifiedhumane.org.

HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.

HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals. More information is available at HFAC’s website, www.certifiedhumane.org