epski
10-21-03, 08:44 PM
Fascinating statistics and quotes in this article. And huzzah! WFM is really getting with the program:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2003-10-21-wholefood_x.htm
Whole Foods pledges to be more humane
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY
Whole Foods Market on Tuesday will announce plans to become the first major grocery chain to adopt humane animal treatment standards.
The move follows nearly two years of intense pressure from two animal rights groups that have previously persuaded the fast-food giants — from McDonald's to Burger King — to improve standards.
It also comes at a time when consumer interest in animal rights issues has ramped up nationally. An overwhelming 96% of Americans say animals deserve "some" protection from harm and exploitation, according to a recent Gallup poll. The natural foods retailer, known for its organic offerings, will allow an independent third party to be named to audit its changes.
The plan gives activists added leverage to continue pushing Safeway and Kroger on animal welfare standards — and it relieves Whole Foods of potential image problems that might have miffed its mostly upscale audience.
But John Mackey, CEO of the grocery chain, insists the move wasn't motivated by a desire to be politically correct — nor was it the result of outside pressure.
"Whole Foods does not respond to coercion," he says of the 147-store chain with sales of $3.2 billion last year. "We re-examined (activists') claims and decided they were basically right."
It may cause meat prices to increase slightly, he says, but Whole Foods will clearly communicate to customers why.
Mackey himself recently shifted from being a conventional vegetarian to a vegan who abstains from all foods with animal byproducts. "I came across an argument I could not refuse: Eating animals causes pain and suffering to the animals."
Officials at the two animal rights groups, Vegetarians International Voice for Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, were ecstatic.
"It's a big deal for the animals," says Lauren Ornelas, campaign director at VivaUSA, the domestic branch of the British-based animal rights group. "Whole Foods customers don't like the idea of ducks whose bills are cut off."
Under the new guidelines — which Mackey says should be in place before the end of 2004 — ducks will be treated more humanely before slaughter.
All of this is a long way from the reaction PETA got from Mackey and other executives at the company's annual meeting in March. They left the podium while a PETA member read an animal rights statement.
Now, Mackey is leading the charge. "It's pretty horrible what's going on with animals in America," he says. "Hopefully, this will put pressure on others to change their ways."
At least one consultant thinks Mackey is onto something here. "Animal welfare has gotten on everyone's radar screen," says John Lister, a brand consultant. "Whole Foods will now be seen as doing the right thing."
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2003-10-21-wholefood_x.htm
Whole Foods pledges to be more humane
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY
Whole Foods Market on Tuesday will announce plans to become the first major grocery chain to adopt humane animal treatment standards.
The move follows nearly two years of intense pressure from two animal rights groups that have previously persuaded the fast-food giants — from McDonald's to Burger King — to improve standards.
It also comes at a time when consumer interest in animal rights issues has ramped up nationally. An overwhelming 96% of Americans say animals deserve "some" protection from harm and exploitation, according to a recent Gallup poll. The natural foods retailer, known for its organic offerings, will allow an independent third party to be named to audit its changes.
The plan gives activists added leverage to continue pushing Safeway and Kroger on animal welfare standards — and it relieves Whole Foods of potential image problems that might have miffed its mostly upscale audience.
But John Mackey, CEO of the grocery chain, insists the move wasn't motivated by a desire to be politically correct — nor was it the result of outside pressure.
"Whole Foods does not respond to coercion," he says of the 147-store chain with sales of $3.2 billion last year. "We re-examined (activists') claims and decided they were basically right."
It may cause meat prices to increase slightly, he says, but Whole Foods will clearly communicate to customers why.
Mackey himself recently shifted from being a conventional vegetarian to a vegan who abstains from all foods with animal byproducts. "I came across an argument I could not refuse: Eating animals causes pain and suffering to the animals."
Officials at the two animal rights groups, Vegetarians International Voice for Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, were ecstatic.
"It's a big deal for the animals," says Lauren Ornelas, campaign director at VivaUSA, the domestic branch of the British-based animal rights group. "Whole Foods customers don't like the idea of ducks whose bills are cut off."
Under the new guidelines — which Mackey says should be in place before the end of 2004 — ducks will be treated more humanely before slaughter.
All of this is a long way from the reaction PETA got from Mackey and other executives at the company's annual meeting in March. They left the podium while a PETA member read an animal rights statement.
Now, Mackey is leading the charge. "It's pretty horrible what's going on with animals in America," he says. "Hopefully, this will put pressure on others to change their ways."
At least one consultant thinks Mackey is onto something here. "Animal welfare has gotten on everyone's radar screen," says John Lister, a brand consultant. "Whole Foods will now be seen as doing the right thing."