Crowne Plaza Canberra and its associated operations, including the National Convention Centre (NCC) and Parliament House Catering by IHG, today announced its commitment to the welfare-friendly food movement in Australia by becoming one of the founding members of Choose Wisely, the RSPCA’s new initiative encouraging businesses to commit to using cage-free eggs.
The first operations of their kind to partner with the RSPCA, Crowne Plaza Canberra, the NCC and Parliament House Catering by IHG will ensure only welfare-friendly whole egg products are served to guests and patrons.
“Choose Wisely is a fantastic initiative we are proud to align with. From today we will ensure that every egg that is used across our three venues is cage free. This includes using only RSPCA-accredited egg providers so that we are certain that the eggs are either barn laid or free range,” said Ian McInnes, Executive Chef, Crowne Plaza Canberra, the National Convention Centre and Parliament House Catering by IHG.
“Our guarantee to guests is that every egg we serve has the RSPCA stamp of approval. Over time, we intend to extend this commitment to incorporate all produce covered within the RSPCA’s welfare-friendly food programme, including pork and chicken meat,” he said.
As part of the Choose Wisely initiative, the RSPCA is asking consumers to support businesses that do choose wisely and are taking an important step on the road to improving layer hen welfare.
“Consumer demand for welfare-friendly food products is surging in Australia with one in four people now buying cage-free eggs. Many businesses and some government organisations have already made the switch to cage-free and we are hoping that Choose Wisely will see this trend grow,” said Heather Neil, CEO, RSPCA Australia.
In the 1990s the RSPCA developed a set of standards for egg producers to ensure a high standard of welfare for hens. The standards stipulate that hens are not kept in battery cages and have litter in which to dust bathe, space to flap their wings, stretch and socialize; nests in which to lay their eggs and adequate perch space. Eggs from an accredited farm are sold with the RSPCA logo so consumers can be assured the hens are kept according to these welfare standards.
The decision to join Choose Wisely by the founding businesses alone means that 1,000 hens a year can live a cage-free existence.
To mark the occasion Crowne Plaza Canberra is inviting guests to experience the cage-free difference by offering breakfast for just $20 for all booking made before 31 December 2008. To book, visit www.crownplaza.com.au or call 138 388 and mention the RSPCA when making a reservation. For more information on Choose Wisely visit www.rspca.org.au.
Crowne Plaza Canberra’s RSPCA special offer is subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.
