Cracker Barrel Announces Gestation Crate Phase-Out

Yesterday, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. announced on its website that it is currently making arrangements to discontinue sourcing from pork producers that use gestation crates. The chain, which operates more than 600 restaurants in 42 states, aims to achieve overall higher standards of animal welfare beginning with the elimination of the crates, with Vice President of Strategic Sourcing Vance Fouraker commenting, “We’re seeing an evolution in Americans’ awareness and attitudes regarding meat.” Recent similar initiatives from major fast-food chains (McDonald’s, Wendy’s) and grocery stores (Safeway, Kroger) have brought mainstream media attention to the issues associated with gestation crates, which confine pregnant sows to cages so small that they cannot turn around or lie down comfortably.