Sobeys Launches New Fresh Foods Initiative Featuring Certified Humane® Meat

HERNDON, Va., Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Humane Farm Animal Care® (HFAC), the leading non-profit certification organization improving the lives of farm animals in food production, announced today that four of their Certified Humane® producers have been chosen as the only meat suppliers to Sobeys "Better Food For All" program.

Chef Jamie Oliver recommended the Certified Humane® program to Sobeys after his team visited many farms and ranches on the Certified Humane® program in the US and Canada, including duBreton, which has been Certified Humane® for over ten years, and Aspen Ridge Natural Beef, which has been Certified Humane® for two years. Because of Chef Oliver's recommendation of Certified Humane® there are two new Certified Humane® chicken producers in Canada:  Blue Goose Pure Foods in Ontario and Sunrise Farms in British Columbia.

Jamie Oliver's Technical Development Manager, Daniel Nowland has spent time working with all of the farming groups involved, ensuring standards are at a level which supports Jamie Oliver's campaigning in the farmed animal sector.  Jamie Oliver's team works globally to improve the lives of farm animals, which they believe in turn improves the quality of the food produced.

"The Certified Humane programme supports our beliefs about raising the bar in animal farming.  This helps the animals, the environment, and gives us a much better, more sustainable food product.  We really believe in higher-welfare farming as a great solution to quality food that is accessible and affordable," said Nowland.

Sobeys, a national retailer in Canada, launched the "Better Food For All" initiative "to make better food accessible to Canadians." Chef Jamie Oliver is a key consultant on the project and advocated the selection of the Certified Humane® certification to be required for the Sobeys "Better Food for All" program.

duBreton, based in Quebec, is North America's largest producer of natural pork. "At duBreton, we believe that hog farms can be efficient and profitable while using sustainable farming practices and raising animals in ways that reduce stress by providing spacious shelter, comfortable resting areas, proper facilities, and the freedom to express normal behavior," says Vincent Breton, The President of duBreton.

Colorado-based Aspen Ridge Natural Angus Beef is Certified Humane®. Emphasis is placed on raising cattle naturally and providing the animals with humane care in a low stress environment. "Animal welfare is a priority for our company and the Certified Humane® certification fits in perfectly with our values as a company and gives our customers the assurance that Aspen Ridge's products meet the highest animal welfare standards," explains Cody Schadegg, Program Manager.

Blue Goose Pure Foods, based in Ontario, will provide their Certified Humane® Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Parts, Antibiotic and Animal-Byproduct Free (AABF) Chicken, and AABF Chicken Parts to Sobeys. The company has always had a strong belief in animal welfare, "We live off the land and acknowledge the responsibility that comes with doing so. At Blue Goose we treat our land and animals with respect and dignity. We believe if we take care of them, they will take care of us."

Family-owned and operated Sunrise Farms, of Surrey, British Columbia, operates with animal welfare as their top priority. Dr. Neil Ambrose, HND Ag, DVM, ACPV serves as the Director of Veterinary Services and Food Safety, is a certified Professional Animal Auditor and supervises the entire live production system from farm to plant.  Dr. Ambrose stated, "We are proud of the good farming practices we follow to raise our chickens. We make the care and welfare of our chickens a top priority to ensure their good health and well-being at all times."

Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals by certifying their humane treatment. Supported by more than 50 humane organizations, the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program is nationally recognized as the Gold Standard for certifying animal welfare from birth through slaughter.

For more information on where to find Certified Humane® products, visit HFAC's "Where to Buy" page at http://www.certifiedhumane.org/index.php?page=where-to-buy. To search for products in Canada, select a Canadian Province from the drop-down menu labeled "state." For additional information, visit HFAC's Website at www.certifiedhumane.org.

Video with caption: "Why Sobeys "Fresh Foods Initiative" features Certified Humane® meat." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeznFKNDiZY

Image with caption: "Certified Humane." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130913/MM79477LOGO

SOURCE Humane Farm Animal Care