Regional chains Burgerville, Souvla make GAP pledges

Company pledges to source only broiler breeds that are Global Animal Partnership (GAP) approved have slowed down, as only two small, regional restaurant chains made commitments in September.

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Slower-growing breeds of chicken certified by the Global Animal Partnership will be exclusively sourced by Burgerville and Souvla, according to company statements. | Photo courtesy of Bell & Evans
Slower-growing breeds of chicken certified by the Global Animal Partnership will be exclusively sourced by Burgerville and Souvla, according to company statements. | Photo courtesy of Bell & Evans

Company pledges to source only broiler breeds that are Global Animal Partnership (GAP) approved have slowed down, as only two small, regional restaurant chains made commitments in September.

The two restaurant companies to make announcements were Souvla, which has three restaurants in the San Francisco area, and Burgerville, which has 42 locations across the Pacific Northwest, with a heavy concentration in the Portland, Oregon, area.

Souvla

Souvla, which defines itself as a fast-fine Greek restaurant, said in its announcement that it is already sourcing GAP-certified chicken.

“Souvla currently sources only Mary’s Free-Range Chicken from Pitman Family Farms, which is certified by Global Animal Partnership (GAP) and requires all chickens to be processed in a manner that avoids live-dumping and live-shackling, instead utilizing a pre-shackle, multi-step controlled-atmosphere processing system that’s widely hailed as more humane,” the company stated.

“We will continue to ensure the chicken we serve at Souvla meets these standards, fulfilling our commitment to responsible and sustainable sourcing. We will continue to procure our chicken from GAP-certified farmers for the foreseeable future and support their future efforts.”

According to the company’s website, a fourth location is being developed.

Burgerville

Burgerville stated that by 2024, it will require its chicken suppliers to do the following for 100 percent of its products:

  • Transition to breeds of birds approved by GAP based on measurably improved outcomes.
  • Reduce stocking density to a maximum of 6 pounds/square foot (per GAP standards) and prohibiting broiler cages.
  • Provide birds enriched environments including litter, lighting, and enrichments that meet GAP’s new standards.
  • Process chickens in a manner that avoids pre-stun handling and instead utilizes a multi-step controlled atmosphere processing system that induces an irreversible stun.
  • Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via third party auditing.

Other pledges to date

Roughly 50 restaurant chains of varying sizes have committed to GAP or Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) standards. Among the larger chains are Burger King, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Quiznos, TGI Fridays and Subways.

In contrast, McDonald’s in 2017 announced a broiler welfare policy, but it made no mention of GAP or RSPCA standards. Instead it stated it would source chickens “that are raised with improved welfare outcomes.” The company is currently being pressured by animal rights activists and a shareholder, New York State Common Retirement Fund, to reassess its policy to include GAP or RSPCA criteria.

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