Food Alliance Announces Partnership
with Burgerville
Northwest Fast-Food Restaurant First in
Nation to Adopt Third Party Certification
Portland, OR - February 23, 2004 - Food
Alliance, one of the nation's leading certification organizations for
environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural practices,
has added a Northwest dining favorite to its member roster, Vancouver,
Wash.-based Burgerville Restaurants. Burgerville is the first fast-food
chain in the nation to join Food Alliance, agreeing to adopt Food
Alliance's third party certification standards to guide its selection of
ingredient suppliers.
"Our
commitment to sustaining Northwest food producers has long been reflected
in our development and marketing of seasonal menu items that showcase high
quality, locally grown ingredients," says Burgerville president Tom
Mears. "Partnering with Food Alliance takes our commitment to high
quality ingredients, sustainable agriculture and healthy food systems a
step further. As a result, we believe many of our suppliers will follow
our lead and take the steps necessary to become Food Alliance
certified."
Burgerville's partnership adds 39
restaurant units to Food Alliance, bringing the number of participating
restaurants to 61, and expands Food Alliance's visibility into an
accessible dining market, where people eat out frequently and are equally
concerned about the quality of ingredients.
"Joining Food Alliance demonstrates
Burgerville's resounding dedication to serving the best ingredients
available," says Food Alliance executive director Scott Exo. "Burgerville
is one of the Northwest's most beloved restaurant brands. Our partnership
with this restaurant company expands our ability to recruit and certify
new food producers who are interested in a relationship with Burgerville."
The first Food Alliance certified supplier
to be adopted by Burgerville is Oregon Country Beef. Oregon Country Beef
is a 40-ranch co-op of beef producers raising healthy beef in harmony and
balance with nature, which includes: vegetarian diets of grass and grain,
open range grazing, and raising cattle from birth without hormones or
antibiotics. Burgerville is now using Oregon Country Beef in all of its
burgers making it the first fast-food restaurant in the Pacific Northwest
to serve natural beef burgers.
About
Burgerville
Founded in 1961, family-owned Burgerville (www.burgerville.com) is a
division of The Holland, Inc., based in Vancouver, Wash. With more than
1600 employees and 39 restaurants located in Oregon and SW Washington, the
company's sustained growth is a testament to its popularity among
consumers who can count on the highest quality products and quick and
friendly service.
About
Food Alliance
Food Alliance (www.foodalliance.org), a national non- profit organization
based in Portland, Ore., is dedicated to promoting expanded use of
sustainable agricultural practices using market-based incentives. To date,
Food Alliance has certified more than 200 different agricultural products,
including fruits, vegetables, wheat, wine, livestock and dairy. Food
Alliance also has an affiliate office in St. Paul, Minn.
Amy
Brown or Amy Dennis
R/West PR
503.223.5443
