Conscious shoppers don’t like to give their money to just anyone. They want to know what practices their cash supports. A new level of transparency in the meat industry lets those curious shoppers know what exactly they’re paying for.
The 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating program offers Whole Foods customers more information about ranching than they have ever been privy to before — probably as much as they can get short of road-tripping across the country, making pit-stops at every ranch. “This is an industry-changing event taking place,” said Mike Hacaga, team leader for Whole Foods meat section. “For the first time the customer can have an understanding of how the animal was raised.”
Working with a nonprofit dedicated to improving animal treatment, Global Animal Partnership, Whole Foods launched the rating program nationwide on February 2, with color-coded placards giving shoppers the skinny on the meat they’re buying.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Santa Barbara Independent
