LEBANON, Tenn. – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) praised Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. for it plans to phase out pork produced from sows kept in gestation crates.

The company’s plans were influenced by a review of studies that examine consumer preferences for housing breeding pigs and economic analyses which show cost savings in group housing of sows, according to HSUS.

“We’re seeing an evolution in Americans’ awareness and attitudes regarding meat produced with higher animal welfare in mind,” said Vance Fouraker, Cracker Barrel’s vice president of Strategic Sourcing. “We recognize that gestation crates may not be the best method to meet higher animal welfare goals and are committed to evolving to sustainable alternatives.

“Cracker Barrel hopes that all of our pork suppliers will share in our vision for a gestation crate-free future, and we’re excited to work with them to achieve this goal,” Fouraker added.