PHILADELPHIA – ARAMARK announced it would work with its suppliers to eliminate the use of gestation crates. The company said it is collaborating with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to develop a plan.

Effective immediately, the company will require new pork suppliers to have a plan showing how they will phase out gestation creates. ARAMARK also has asked its primary pork suppliers to develop plans to phase out gestation crates. The company will then move to provide gestation crate-free pork throughout its supply chain by 2017, ARAMARK said.

“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, ARAMARK’s senior director of Environmental Sustainability. “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.”

Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of HSUS, applauded the announcement, calling ARAMARK “a great partner to work with”.

“ARAMARK is the largest US-based foodservice company taking a stand on this issue and the company’s decision to eliminate pork from methods using gestation crates is a move toward even greater social responsibility,” Pacelle said.