Perdue Farms released its 2020 Company Stewardship Report on July 1, highlighting the company’s commitment to combating food insecurity, its new ecommerce website and advancements in poultry welfare through outdoor access.
“Over the past year, we have continued to make advances in animal care, product innovation and environmental stewardship. Much of that progress would not have been possible without the support and involvement of others. Indeed, a theme of teamwork and partnership is woven throughout our report,” Chairman Jim Perdue said.
Food insecurity
In 2020, the Perdue Foundation donated more than $1.3 million in grants and support to 93 non-profit organizations. This included the launch of Perdue Farms’ own food insecurity initiative, “Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors,” with a $1 million grant to 10 Feeding America-affiliated food bank partners.
Perdue also established a five-year sustainability goal, with plans to donate at least 20 million pounds of protein to combat food insecurity by 2025.
Ecommerce website
In January, Perdue launched a direct-to-consumer website that enables consumers to order frozen meat products direct from the consumer. All packaging for online orders is 100% recyclable, made of water-soluble cornstarch that disintegrates in the sink.
Initially, the website offered brands such as Perdue, Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural, Sonoma Red and Skagit Red. Additional brands will be available for sale online later this year.
Improving outdoor access
Perdue continue its commitment to industry-leading animal care initiatives in 2020, outpacing the industry in raising chickens with outdoor access and achieving its goal of providing outdoor access in 25% of chicken houses in January 2020.
In addition, the company converted 700 chicken houses to meet free-range standards with the addition of windows, environmental enrichment including bales of hay and straw and safe outdoor access.
Now in its centennial year, Perdue Farms, according to the WATTAgNet Top Poultry Companies survey, is the fourth largest broiler company in the United States and the seventh largest turkey producer in the country.
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