HERNDON, Va. – Denver, Colorado-based Niman Ranch has become the latest company to join Humane Farm Animal Care’s (HFAC) Certified Humane program. Starting Sept. 1, Niman Ranch and its more than 720 suppliers of pork, beef, lamb and processed products will officially become certified humane. This will make the company and its farms operated in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest and mid-Atlantic region the largest multi-protein business in the US to join the program.

“Niman Ranch shares our commitment to raising farm animals under strict humane standards,” says Adele Douglass, executive director for HFAC. “Whether they’re raising hogs, cattle, or lamb, all of their animals across all of their farms will be raised under Humane Farm Animal Care’s ‘Animal Care Standards.’”

The program’s goal is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumers to shop for products based on a kinder and more responsible farm animal practices and processes. The Certified Humane Raised and Handled label give consumers the peace of mind that the products they purchase meet the HFAC’s ‘Animal Care Standards.’ The program uses third party inspectors including veterinarians and Ph.D. experts in farm animal welfare to regularly inspect slaughtering operations and farms to make sure the standards are met.

“Having Certified Humane verification across all Niman Ranch products allows restaurants and grocers to embrace values-driven products today’s millennial consumers are demanding,” stated Jeff Tripician, Niman Ranch general manager and chief marketing officer. “We know the extra layer of Certified Humane certification enhances our already strict animal welfare protocols and instills confidence with our customers.”