Why, Cracker Barrel, why?
Why cave under pressure from animal rights groups to stop buying pork from producers who use scientifically approved gestation crates?
Why alienate customers who love inexpensive pork chops and barbecued ribs?
Cracker Barrel just joined six other food companies that have announced moving toward gestation stall-free pork suppliers.
He added that “gestation crates may not be the best method to meet higher animal welfare goals, and we are committed to evolving sustainable alternatives.”
Gestation crates do many helpful things. They confine pregnant sows and protect them and their newborn piglets from other aggressive sows. They also prevent a sow from accidentally injuring her piglets, while allowing the piglets to nurse. Additionally, gestation crates ensure individual feeding and greater ease of veterinary care for each animal instead of letting them fend for themselves in a group.
Many restaurant chains have been pressured by the Humane Society of the United States
Domino’s pizza was one of those chains. But Domino’s refused.
A spokesperson said those who raise animals for food employ accepted, scientifically-proven practices that are in the animals’ best interests, and the company doesn’t have a problem with that.
Cracker Barrel, on the other hand, feels that its customers want meat produced “with higher welfare in mind.”
In my experience, higher welfare for animals means more expensive fare for humans. Cracker Barrel is not an upscale restaurant; it serves country-style food that’s been eaten on farms across the nation for centuries.
And the farmers who provide that safe, wholesome food hope that Americans appreciate the care that goes into producing it.
Who wouldn’t want to eat that?
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