This set of emails displays an interesting dialogue between the Humane League and our very own Champlain College Tom Oliver. Take a look and share your thoughts!
Original email received from The Humane League:
Dear Mr. Laackman,
My name is Taylor Ford and I work for The Humane League, a leading non-profit organization advocating on behalf of animals, the environment, and public health.
I am contacting you about an issue that leading food industry companies are addressing, but which Sodexo the food service company you contract with, has yet to address. It’s an issue where food service leaders, environmental organizations, food safety organizations, and animal welfare organizations have all been saying one thing – and Sodexo has been doing the opposite. I wanted to make you aware of this issue because it has to do with your mission as a socially responsible university, and could negatively harm your university’s reputation if no action is taken to address the problem.
The issue is Sodexo’s purchase of battery-cage eggs for its client’s dining facilities. Battery-cage eggs are produced on farms that confine their animals so tightly into cages that the hens can barely turn around and cannot spread their wings, often living in their own waste. Battery-cages are so cruel that they have been banned in 27 countries and 11 states in the US.
You may have received a letter from Steve DiPrima that touches on Sodexo’s movement to using cage-free shell eggs. While Sodexo boasts about switching their shell eggs to cage-free, they only make up a tiny fraction of the eggs they use. Sodexo has failed to switch their liquid eggs which make up the vast majority of eggs that they purchase. We understand that Sodexo may at some point be constrained by production, and that is why we have time and time again requested a mere timeline to phasing out the use of battery-cage liquid eggs. We have successfully worked with several of their competitors to make a similar commitment, and even fast food chains like McDonalds and Burger King have started moving towards cage-free eggs. Yet Sodexo is the least willing to negotiate a solution, which is why we have reached out to you.
Animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and food safety are important to consumers. At the time of this letter, over 75,000 US consumers have already signed a petition asking Sodexo to stop supporting battery cages. You can view the petition here:
Many of Sodexo’s clients have asked us why Sodexo is still supporting this archaic practice. That’s a good question.
We are planning on launching a public effort to inform the greater university community about the cruelty being supported in your facilities. I would be happy to help in any way I can to ensure that this problem can be corrected. You can reach me at any time at taylor@thehumaneleague.com,
Best,
Taylor Ford
Campaign Coordinator
Response from Tom Oliver, General Manager of Sodexo at Champlain College:
Dear Taylor Ford,
Sodexo’s mission to enhance Quality of Life includes a meaningful commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. It means partnering with our clients, customers, suppliers, communities and other organizations to enhance the environment, health and vitality of our communities for today and tomorrow.
Two years ago, as part of that commitment, we made an industry-leading decision to source all of the 39 million shelled eggs we purchase from cage-free hens. The decision was applauded by members of the animal welfare community.
Recently, The Humane League has begun an effort to move the entire food-supplier and food-service industry to cage-free liquid eggs. You may have received information from one of their local coordinators.
As we experienced with cage-free shelled eggs, it took considerable time for the supply chain to become robust enough to meet Sodexo’s purchasing volume needs in this category. In fact, there are some instances where the supply chain for cage-free shelled eggs is still not as strong as we would like to see. When there is a more fulsome supply chain for all types of cage-free eggs, we will be able to further evaluate whether a move to cage-free liquid eggs is the right decision for Sodexo and our customers. We are proud that we make an important difference by using cage-free shelled eggs as part of our commitment to improve the sustainability of our supply chain and the communities we serve.
In addition, it is a point of pride for everyone at Sodexo that we have been recognized globally as best-in-class for social, environmental and economic responsibility by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index every year for the past ten years. To be included and remain in the index, companies have to continually intensify their sustainability initiatives – an approach that benefits investors, employees, customers and, ultimately, society and the environment.
For more information about Sodexo’s performance as a responsible company please read our 2014 Better Tomorrow Plan report.
If you have questions or need anything, please reach out to Sodexo Communications Director Jackie Tate<mailto:jacquelyn.tate@sodexo.com> with questions.
Sincerely,
Thomas Oliver
General Manager, Sodexo Champlain College