Today, Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) announced at a press event in Honolulu that Surfing Goat Dairy is the first Hawaii-based producer to receive their Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label. HFAC’s national market certification and labeling program informs consumers that an egg, dairy, meat, or poultry product has been produced with the welfare of the farm animal in mind.
“The animal standards and the issues surrounding those standards are what bring the consumer and farmer together,” says Adele Douglass, executive director for HFAC. “Consumers want food that is healthy and can feel the choice they make helps support the type of agriculture where animals are treated humanely during the cycle of food production. In meeting our strict standards of care, Surfing Goat Dairy can now proudly display the Certified Humane® label on their products and website, showing consumers their level of commitment to this process.”
In order to receive the Certified Humane label, “Surfing Goat Dairy had to demonstrate that their farm animals received a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones, and that they were being raised with proper shelter, resting areas, and sufficient space to support natural behaviors,” says Mae Mendelson, HFAC board member and long-time advocate for social change in Hawaii. “Located on 42-acres in Kula, Hawaii, Surfing Goat Dairy not only observes these guidelines, but gives their goats plenty of space to roam and forage on a lush mountainside.”
Since HFAC’s program was unveiled in May 2003, Humane Farm Animal Care has been working to create a market for humane food products, giving food producers the recognition and advantage to create an increased market share and increased profitability for choosing more sustainable practices. Today, more than 64 companies consisting of many farms, from Massachusetts to Hawaii, have been certified. Last year, more than 20 million farm animals were raised under HFAC’s strict standards, which were verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.
“Even with many standards already in place, we worked hard to receive this certification,” says Thomas Kafsack, co-owner of Surfing Goat Dairy, “We are delighted to have passed Humane Farm Animal Care’s certification process. It’s how we should treat all animals raised for food.”
Editor’s Note: Humane Farm Animal Care is nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to improve the lives of farm animals by providing viable, credible, duly-monitored standards for humane food production and ensuring consumers that these products meet strict standards. HFAC is supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), as well as regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations, and individuals. For more information, visit www.certifiedhumane.org or call Humane Farm Animal Care at 703-435-3883
News from Humane Farm Animal Care
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia (703) 435-3883
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cathy Rosenthal: HFAC – 210-497-1291
Mae Mendelson, HFAC board member, 808-497-6623
Thomas and Eva Maria Kafsack, Surfing Goal Dairy, 808-878-2870
Surfing Goat Dairy is First in Hawaii to Receive Certified Humane Raised and Handled® Certification
Posted: July 30, 2008 by Certified Humane
Today, Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) announced at a press event in Honolulu that Surfing Goat Dairy is the first Hawaii-based producer to receive their Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label. HFAC’s national market certification and labeling program informs consumers that an egg, dairy, meat, or poultry product has been produced with the welfare of the farm animal in mind.
“The animal standards and the issues surrounding those standards are what bring the consumer and farmer together,” says Adele Douglass, executive director for HFAC. “Consumers want food that is healthy and can feel the choice they make helps support the type of agriculture where animals are treated humanely during the cycle of food production. In meeting our strict standards of care, Surfing Goat Dairy can now proudly display the Certified Humane® label on their products and website, showing consumers their level of commitment to this process.”
In order to receive the Certified Humane label, “Surfing Goat Dairy had to demonstrate that their farm animals received a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones, and that they were being raised with proper shelter, resting areas, and sufficient space to support natural behaviors,” says Mae Mendelson, HFAC board member and long-time advocate for social change in Hawaii. “Located on 42-acres in Kula, Hawaii, Surfing Goat Dairy not only observes these guidelines, but gives their goats plenty of space to roam and forage on a lush mountainside.”
Since HFAC’s program was unveiled in May 2003, Humane Farm Animal Care has been working to create a market for humane food products, giving food producers the recognition and advantage to create an increased market share and increased profitability for choosing more sustainable practices. Today, more than 64 companies consisting of many farms, from Massachusetts to Hawaii, have been certified. Last year, more than 20 million farm animals were raised under HFAC’s strict standards, which were verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.
“Even with many standards already in place, we worked hard to receive this certification,” says Thomas Kafsack, co-owner of Surfing Goat Dairy, “We are delighted to have passed Humane Farm Animal Care’s certification process. It’s how we should treat all animals raised for food.”
Editor’s Note: Humane Farm Animal Care is nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to improve the lives of farm animals by providing viable, credible, duly-monitored standards for humane food production and ensuring consumers that these products meet strict standards. HFAC is supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), as well as regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations, and individuals. For more information, visit www.certifiedhumane.org or call Humane Farm Animal Care at 703-435-3883
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia (703) 435-3883
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cathy Rosenthal: HFAC – 210-497-1291
Mae Mendelson, HFAC board member, 808-497-6623
Thomas and Eva Maria Kafsack, Surfing Goal Dairy, 808-878-2870
Category: press