Herndon, Va.—Organic BreadBasket of Winnipeg, is the first
turkey group in North America to receive certification from
Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) under the "Certified Humane"
program. Organic Breadbasket works with specially selected and
highly regulated sustainable family farms in Canada and the
United States to produce turkeys that are labeled either
Certified Humane or Certified Organic & Certified Humane.
"Organic Breadbasket turkeys are a great addition to the
Certified Humane program, especially with Thanksgiving coming
up", said HFAC Executive Director Adele Douglass.
Effective immediately, Organic BreadBasket, which markets
its turkeys under the POP’S FARM™ brand, can use the "Certified
Humane Raised & Handled" label on its packaging, assuring
consumers that it has met HFAC’s Animal Care Standards.
Certification of the company follows rigorous on-site
inspections of its indoor and outdoor turkey operations by HFAC
professionals. HFAC certification verifies that Organic
BreadBasket’s turkeys are raised in accordance with HFAC’s
standards, which include nutritious diet without antibiotics or
hormones, animals raised with shelter, resting areas,
sufficient space and the ability to engage in natural
behaviors. The program standards were developed by a team of
leading animal scientists and veterinarians.
"We work with small local growers who are committed to
supporting a bio-diversified environment and treating animals
well in order to produce a consistent, premium product," said
Hélène Bouvier, owner of Organic BreadBasket. "We wanted
third-party independent verification that the claims we make
about our turkeys are true. The Certified Humane label gives us
that. The label also gives our customers peace of mind and
verifies product traceability."
POP’S FARM™ turkeys are pasture-grazed on organic grains,
legumes and grasses in warm months. They are given ample space
to roam, access to pasture at all times and are allowed to
roost naturally. In winter, they are housed indoors in adequate
space. Owing to the stress-free environment and ample exercise,
the birds maintain strong immune systems that avoid the use of
not only antibiotics and radiation techniques, but also growth
promotants, tallow, feather meal and animal by-products
throughout the bird’s entire life.
POP’S FARM™ turkeys are sold at natural foods stores and
specialty meat stores in Winnipeg and Toronto, and in some
Whole Foods stores in the U.S. and Canada. E.G. Emil &
Sons, Inc., a producer of top-of-the-line handmade, natural
grain turkey meats based in Philadelphia, uses Organic
BreadBasket turkey in its deli products, which are sold at SKH
in Lititz, Pa. and Heinens in Cleveland, Ohio. More information
and store locations about Organic Breadbasket’s turkeys can be
found at the website www.organicbreadbasket.com.
The "Certified Humane" label, unveiled in May 2003, assures
consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has come
from animals raised in facilities that meet precise, objective
standards for humane farm animal treatment. Other producers
that are certified to use the "Certified Humane" label include
Prather Ranch (California), Echo Farms Dairy (New Hampshire),
Touchstone Farms Sheep and Lamb (Virginia), Deer Creek Beef
(Maryland), duBreton Natural Pork (Quebec, Canada) and
Hedgeapple Farms Beef (Maryland).
HFAC is a national 501C3 nonprofit organization that is
supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations,
foundations and individuals. More information about HFAC’s
activities can be found at its website,
www.certifiedhumane.com.
