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American Humane Association Ramps up Hope for Heartland with Expanded Programs to Benefit Farm Animals, Rural Communities & Children Nationwide

Agricultural Policy Expert Luke Knowles
Named Senior Adviser for American Humane Association Farm Programs

WASHINGTON, December 7 – Luke Knowles, former Special Assistant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an expert on the link between sustainable agriculture and rural development, has been named Senior Adviser to American Humane Association’s Farm Animal Welfare Program. In this role, he will be advising the 135-year-old nonprofit organization on agricultural policy and the expansion of American Humane Association’s growing array of programs addressing issues of health and well-being in rural America – especially as they impact the lives of animals, children, families and rural communities that feed our nation.

“Luke is the right person at the right time for this important role,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association. “As the global population soars and people rightly become more concerned about how their food is raised there are additional opportunities for America’s farmers not only to feed the world’s children and families, but to do it in a humane and sustainable way. We are committed to creating programs and initiatives that encourage and support responsible farmers, ranchers, and others, and lead to a safe and humanely raised food supply that benefits farm animals, rural communities, and children and families nationwide.”

American Humane Association Welcomes Just BARE® Chicken as a Certified Producer

WASHINGTON – Nov. 28, 2011 – American Humane Association’s farm animal welfare certification program is proud to announce its newest American Humane Certified^™ producer – Just BARE^® Chicken.

This premium, all-natural brand of chicken, distributed by Minnesota-based GNP Company, has no antibiotics, no added hormones, no animal byproducts, and no unwanted solutions or additives. It has traceability to the family farm where it was raised, and the promise of a lighter environmental footprint, as proven by the carbon reduction logo on every package.

“Just BARE Chicken is an exciting addition to the ranks of American Humane Certified producers,” said Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D., President and CEO of American Humane Association. “The brand’s focus on caring practices, transparency, and high quality standards for its chickens is a perfect match for our farm animal welfare program.”

Beard Foundation partnership further illustrates commitment to quality food

American Humane Association farm animal program officials are excited to announce a great partnership with the James Beard Foundation, which makes our Certified producers “preferred purveyors” to the foundation.

Our farm animal program is committed to animal welfare because it’s the right thing to do. It’s not only good for animals, it’s good for people, too. And now, whenever the Beard Foundation hosts a dining event anywhere in the country, the chefs preparing the meal can cook with humanely-raised food from farmers and ranchers that meets the standards of American Humane Certified animal welfare program.

The partnership with the Beard Foundation -- which is dedicated to “celebrating, preserving and nurturing America’s culinary heritage and diversity” – recently included a “Celebrity Chef Tour” benefit dinner for the foundation. The meal at ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro in Denver featured talented chefs Lon Symensma of ChoLon and Angelo Sosa (“Top Chef ”) creating an amazing six-course meal featuring food from American Humane Certified animal welfare producers, including Leidy’s Nature’s Tradition Pork and Morning Fresh Eggland’s Best cage-free eggs.

The partnership extends to participating in Beard Foundation "Salons," regional roundtables at which issues about food are discussed by chefs and food service providers, food writers and community leaders.

The roundtables – which have been held in Minneapolis, Atlanta and Louisville – have gathered input about how money and media intersect with our food that will be discussed at the second annual James Beard Food Conference (Oct. 12-13, New York City): “Sustainability on the Table: How Money and Media Influence the Way America Eats.”

Learn more about the food conference:
http://www.jbffoodconference.org/

American Humane Association Announces Newest Certified Producer: OK Foods, fully integrated chicken producer

Aug. 31, 2011 – American Humane Association’s farm animal welfare certification program is proud to introduce its newest Certified producer – OK Foods, Inc. headquartered in Fort Smith, Ark.

The company remains true to its core value of producing only the highest quality chicken products to independent restaurants, foodservice distributors, national chain restaurants, grocery retailers, and other food manufacturers.

The American Humane Certified seal will be featured on TenderBird Chicken products (TenderBird Fully Cooked, TenderBird Seasoned, TenderBird Individually Frozen) found in grocery stores across the United States and overseas. The seal signifies that an independent, third-party audit found OK Foods animal care and handling met more than 200 criteria certified by American Humane Association.

“Our company has always focused on producing the highest quality chicken possible,” said Dr. Karen Christensen, Director of Technical Services at OK Foods. “So it was only natural for us to work with American Humane Associated animal welfare program, the first and fastest growing farm animal welfare certification program.”

Food Network personality Paula Deen joins Certified producer Springer Mountain Farms to launch branded line of chicken products

July 5, 2011 – American Humane Association farm animal welfare Certified producer Springer Mountain Farms has announced a partnership with Food Network superstar Paula Deen to produce and package her branded line of chicken products.

“Chicken is a very logical line of food for us to have,” says Deen. “I’m particularly impressed with the way Springer Mountain Farms raises and feeds its chickens, producing an especially tender and delicious product. I’m proud to put my name on these items and encourage everyone to give them a try.”

"Preferred Purveyors" agreement announced between American Humane Association and the James Beard Foundation

June 15, 2011 - American Humane Association farm animal program is excited to announce an agreement that makes its Certified producers “preferred purveyors” to the James Beard Foundation.

As a result of the agreement, whenever the Beard Foundation hosts a dining event, the chefs preparing the meal will have the option of selecting humanely-raised food that meets the standards of American Humane CertifiedTM animal welfare program.

A “Celebrity Chef Tour” benefit for the Beard Foundation -- which is dedicated to “celebrating, preserving and nurturing America‟s culinary heritage and diversity” -- highlighted the relationship.

The June event in Denver at ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro featured renowned chefs Lon Symensma of ChoLon and Angelo Sosa (“Top Chef ”). The pair created an amazing six-course meal at the sold-out dinner featuring food from American Humane CertifiedTManimal welfare Certified producers, including Leidy‟s Nature‟s Tradition Pork and Morning Fresh Eggland‟s Best cage-free eggs. In addition, lamb was donated by Mountain States Rosen.