PHILADELPHIA, March 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, announced today the latest step on its journey to become an even more responsible company, focused on supporting its diverse workforce, advancing consumer health and wellness, protecting the environment, and strengthening communities. The company is expanding its commitments to responsible sourcing and animal welfare by extending its 100 percent cage-free egg commitment worldwide by 2025, including liquid and shell eggs. Operating in 19 countries, Aramark purchases over 300 million eggs annually. In the U.S., the company's largest market, Aramark has been serving 100 percent cage-free shell eggs since 2015 and is transitioning to 100 percent cage-free liquid eggs by 2020.

Aramark's global cage-free egg commitment builds upon its industry-leading animal welfare policy, established in 2015, requiring suppliers to establish animal welfare protocols that prevents mistreatment from confinement, painful procedures and rapid growth. The company's cage-free eggs decision follows its industry pioneering move in 2016 to improve the treatment of broiler chickens. All of the company's policies and decisions reflect insights and expertise from its independent Sustainable Sourcing Advisory Panel, comprised of business experts, suppliers, academia and animal welfare organizations.

"Aramark's shift to entirely cage-free eggs for its supply chain globally is a significant advancement for the treatment of egg-laying hens," said Josh Balk, vice president of farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States. "The company's overall efforts to improve the lives of farm animals makes it a leader in the food industry."

"Aramark's announcement to take their cage-free commitment worldwide will impact the lives of almost a million hens each year and illustrates the company's continued dedication to farm animal welfare," said Rachel Dreskin, U.S. Head of Food Business, Compassion in World Farming. "It also emphasizes that the tidal wave of change coming for laying hens is not limited by geographical borders."

Aramark recently published an Animal Welfare Progress Report highlighting the company's ongoing advancement of responsible sourcing and animal welfare goals, including:

• Becoming a first in foodservice committed to the humane treatment of broiler chickens by calling on suppliers to address breed selection, space, enrichments and slaughtering practices by 2024.
• Transitioning 30 percent of its U.S. pork purchases to group-housed in 2017, while working with suppliers, industry and animal welfare organizations to increase supplies enabling 100 percent group-housed purchases by 2022.
• Incorporating responsible sourcing policies into supplier contracts that feature recognized, third-party certifications from the Global Animal Partnership (GAP), Certified Humane by Humane Farm Animal Care and others.

"We are unwavering in our commitment to work with suppliers and animal welfare organizations to advance responsible sourcing practices across our global supply chain," said Scott Barnhart, Aramark's Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Procurement. "We are pleased that Aramark's cage-free egg learnings in the U.S. are being applied to address the remaining portion of our total egg purchases around the world."

The Humane Society of the U.S. honored Aramark with the Henry Spira Humane Corporate Progress Award for its commitment to broiler chicken welfare, instituting an Animal Welfare Policy and addressing confinement conditions of farm animals. The company also received the 2016 Good Egg Award from Compassion in World Farming for its commitment to cage-free eggs in the U.S.

Green Thread, the company's environmental sustainability platform, brings to life Aramark's commitments and programs focused on sourcing responsibly, minimizing waste, running buildings efficiently and managing its fleet in an effective manner. Learn more here.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world's leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world.  Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities.  Aramark is recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE Aramark