Applegate Celebrates 30 Years by Strengthening its Commitment to Cleaner, Crave-able Food for Everyone

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Sep 13, 2017, 08:59 ET

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- From making nitrite-free bacon to leading industrywide change on antibiotics use in animal agriculture, Applegate, the nation's leading natural and organic meat brand, will mark 30 years this September of progressing the company's mission: "Changing the Meat We Eat." In commemoration of this milestone, Applegate will advance its commitment to improving the way food is raised and unveil a Mission Dashboard of measurable sustainable and regenerative industry practices.

Applegate's Mission Dashboard of measurable sustainable and regenerative industry practices.

Applegate's Mission Dashboard includes renewed, measurable goals around progressing industry practices and standards in the following areas:

Saving Antibiotics
Animal Welfare
Regenerative Agriculture
Clean, Crave-able Food for Everyone

"Applegate has spent 30 years asking questions like, 'what if you weren't afraid to read a hot dog label?' That boldness has led to many positive changes and best practices for cleaner food," said Steve Lykken, president of Applegate. "While we celebrate all that has been done, we also recognize there is always more to do, which is why we are proud to set new goals that will drive our mission and hopefully set new standards for the entire food industry."

Applegate has already made significant strides in accordance with its mission – "Changing the Meat We Eat." By the end of 2017, Applegate will have 30 products third-party certified as non-GMO, and the company aims to have over 140 products verified by 2020 – which would encompass every product Applegate offers. Animal welfare has also been a priority for Applegate. By the end of 2017 the company plans to have 100% of its poultry, pork and beef farms third-party certified for higher animal welfare.

The company will host a 30th anniversary event at Applegate headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey, on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Along with unveiling its Mission Dashboard, the company will host a panel discussion featuring industry leaders and fellow "food rebels" Maryn McKenna, journalist and author; Robyn O'Brien, author and former financial and food industry analyst; and Will Harris, regenerative farmer and rancher.

Applegate's Mission Dashboard can be found at http://applegate.com/mission/how-were-doing, where consumers can learn more about the company's efforts, track progress and find out how they can contribute to the cause.

ABOUT APPLEGATE
For 30 years, Applegate has been producing high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Our products are made without GMO ingredients and we source our meat from farms, where animals are treated with care and respect and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of our mission – "Changing The Meat We Eat." Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate natural means that the meat inside our products is:

From animals raised humanely without antibiotics, hormones or growth promotants
From animals fed a vegetarian or 100% grass diet
Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives

Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015. For more information about our products, visit www.applegate.com or talk with us on www.facebook.com/applegate or twitter.com/Applegate.

SOURCE Applegate