Aramark to stop serving gestation-crate pork

Aug. 21—Aramark, in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United State (HSUS), has announced its commitment to eliminate all pork from animals bred using gestation crates in Aramark’s domestic supply chain by 2017.

To meet this goal, Aramark has asked its primary pork suppliers to develop plans for reducing and then eliminating gestation crates. After working with suppliers, Aramark will take steps to provide gestation crate-free pork throughout its supply chain by 2017. The company will also begin to immediately require new supplier contracts for pork to provide a plan that addresses how they will phase out gestation creates to meet these goals.

Gestation crate-free pork has become a hot topic in the industry. According to Aramark’s release, nine states have passed laws banning gestation crates, including 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,” said Kathy Cacciola, senior director of Environmental Sustainability for Aramark. “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.”