Bon Appétit Management Co. Receives National Humane Award

WASHINGTON—Today, the nation's largest animal protection organization announced that Bon Appétit Management Company has won its Award for Excellence in Food Service Management. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) presented the award to the company for its implementation of a cage-free shell egg purchasing policy, which is a powerful statement against one of the most abusive practices on factory farms.

In November 2005, the company announced its policy after discussions with The HSUS, which had provided information on why and how to implement a cage-free egg policy. Bon Appétit is currently phasing in cage-free shell eggs over a one-year period for all of its 400 corporate, university, and specialty cafés throughout the United States. The company's ultimate goal is for all its eggs to be completely cage-free.

Wayne Pacelle, HSUS President and CEO, commended Bon Appétit, stating, "Bon Appétit's cage-free egg policy demonstrates just how easy it is for one company to make a very real difference in the lives of farm animals. The HSUS encourages other companies to follow its positive example."

"As Bon Appétit is strongly committed to social responsibility, transitioning to cage-free eggs was a natural step for us," said Fedele Bauccio, CEO of Bon Appétit Management Company. "Food that is responsibly sourced is better for our health, our communities, and the world in which we live. This is why we joined The HSUS in support of animal welfare."

The award honors Bon Appétit's transition away from battery cage eggs. In the United States, approximately 95 percent of eggs sold come from hens confined in barren battery cages, wire enclosures so small the birds can't even spread their wings or engage in many other natural behaviors, such as nesting, foraging, perching, and dust bathing. The cages are stacked one on top of another inside huge warehouses on factory farms. Each bird is afforded less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live, leading to extremely high levels of stress and frustration.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, equine protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at hsus.org.

Bon Appétit Management Co. is an onsite restaurant company offering full food service management to corporations, universities and specialty venues. Bon Appétit is committed to sourcing sustainable, local foods, and has developed programs with Environmental Defense, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, the Humane Society of the United States, and other leading conservation organizations.  Based in Palo Alto, CA Bon Appétit has more than 400 cafés in 26 states.  www.bamco.com