AUSTIN, Texas (March 17, 2016) – Whole Foods Market is pleased to support the enhancement of Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP) standards to require all producers to move away from fast-growth breeds of chicken.

GAP announced today its intention to require only slower-growing chicken breeds by 2024 for certification for all levels of its 5-Step® Rating Program, due to the unresolvable welfare issues inherent in fast-growing breeds of chicken.

“Since 2011, Whole Foods Market has used Global Animal Partnership’s 5-Step Rating system to provide our customers with standards and information around how the animal was raised for the meat they buy,” said Theo Weening, global meat buyer for Whole Foods Market. “Supporting this additional commitment to improve chicken welfare is a step forward in continuing to provide our customers with products of the highest quality and flavor.”

To learn more about Global Animal Partnership, its 5-Step Rating Program, and its commitment to slower growing chicken breeds by 2024, please visit https://www.globalanimalpartnership.org/