At a media conference last week, officials said they’re requesting vendors join the Certified Humane Raised and Handled Certification Program, developed by Herndon, VA. based Humane Farm Animal Care.
Products that gain the certification are produced by animals that have received a nutritious diet without hormones, and have been raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior.
More than 40 meat, poultry, egg and dairy producers have been awarded the “Certified Humane” label for their products since the labeling program was introduced in May of 2003.
“There is no reason why animals shouldn’t be treated in a reasonable manner,” said Nicholas D’Agostino III, President and chief operating officer. “I think this request will influence suppliers who haven’t thought about [becoming Certified Humane] to learn more about it. The Certified Humane foods we offer look tremendous and they’re selling well.
The supermarket Chain began selling its first humane-certified products, by Murray’s Chicken, about a year and a half ago, D’Agostino said. Since then it’s added Echo Farm Puddings, Applegate Farms bacon, DuBreton’s Natural Pork, Phillip Michaels’ veal and Giving Nature eggs to the Certified Humane lineup.
“When it comes to certain products [like veal] we’ll only sell [humane-certified] products, because many people don’t buy veal” because of the way it’s raised, D’Agostino said. “In other categories [like eggs]. we’ll give customers a choice.”
The certification has minimal impact on the process of products, he said. For example, Echo Farm Puddings sell for about 10% more than competitors’ conventionally produced puddings, said Courtney Hodge, director of sales and marketing for Echo Farms.
Certified Humane products carry a label on their packaging that reads “Certified Humane Raised & Handled.” D’Agostino also identifies the products with shelf tags and signs explaining what the certification means.
“Some customers have asked about the humane certification,” D’Agostino said. “Right now we’re working to educate our meat and store managers” about the program.
A non-profit, HFAC was established by leading experts in the animal welfare field to recognize the need for establishing and promoting humane farm animal care standards, in contrast to factory farming practices, said Adele Douglass, executive director of HFAC.
“There are almost nine billion animals raised for food in the U.S. each year and the vast majority of these animals live in conditions which prevent their ability to move around and express minimal normal behaviors, such as birds flapping their wings and pregnant sows being able to move.” Douglass said. “Most of them have fortified waste and antibiotics which are necessary to keep dense populations of animals confined under these conditions.”
Supermarket News: D’Agostino Requests Supplier Humanity
Posted: January 30, 2006 by Certified Humane
At a media conference last week, officials said they’re requesting vendors join the Certified Humane Raised and Handled Certification Program, developed by Herndon, VA. based Humane Farm Animal Care.
Products that gain the certification are produced by animals that have received a nutritious diet without hormones, and have been raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior.
More than 40 meat, poultry, egg and dairy producers have been awarded the “Certified Humane” label for their products since the labeling program was introduced in May of 2003.
“There is no reason why animals shouldn’t be treated in a reasonable manner,” said Nicholas D’Agostino III, President and chief operating officer. “I think this request will influence suppliers who haven’t thought about [becoming Certified Humane] to learn more about it. The Certified Humane foods we offer look tremendous and they’re selling well.
The supermarket Chain began selling its first humane-certified products, by Murray’s Chicken, about a year and a half ago, D’Agostino said. Since then it’s added Echo Farm Puddings, Applegate Farms bacon, DuBreton’s Natural Pork, Phillip Michaels’ veal and Giving Nature eggs to the Certified Humane lineup.
“When it comes to certain products [like veal] we’ll only sell [humane-certified] products, because many people don’t buy veal” because of the way it’s raised, D’Agostino said. “In other categories [like eggs]. we’ll give customers a choice.”
The certification has minimal impact on the process of products, he said. For example, Echo Farm Puddings sell for about 10% more than competitors’ conventionally produced puddings, said Courtney Hodge, director of sales and marketing for Echo Farms.
Certified Humane products carry a label on their packaging that reads “Certified Humane Raised & Handled.” D’Agostino also identifies the products with shelf tags and signs explaining what the certification means.
“Some customers have asked about the humane certification,” D’Agostino said. “Right now we’re working to educate our meat and store managers” about the program.
A non-profit, HFAC was established by leading experts in the animal welfare field to recognize the need for establishing and promoting humane farm animal care standards, in contrast to factory farming practices, said Adele Douglass, executive director of HFAC.
“There are almost nine billion animals raised for food in the U.S. each year and the vast majority of these animals live in conditions which prevent their ability to move around and express minimal normal behaviors, such as birds flapping their wings and pregnant sows being able to move.” Douglass said. “Most of them have fortified waste and antibiotics which are necessary to keep dense populations of animals confined under these conditions.”
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