Petaluma, CA – On April 25, Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) presented Petaluma Poultry with his Sustainable North Bay Award for April at company corporate offices, located at 1500 Cader Lane in Petaluma.

Huffman enjoyed a stimulating brainstorming session with Petaluma Poultry Vice President and General Manager Matt Junkel and company Sustainability Team Coordinator David Martinelli regarding the poultry company’s current work and future plans to further reduce greenhouse gases and ways the Assemblyman could be of assistance with legislative solutions and state agency support such as improving composting options on poultry farms.

The poultry products come from a number of farms and include chickens raised on open range and fed organic corn and soybean meal with no antibiotics.  The Rosie brand was the first chicken in the United States to carry a certified organic label.  Rosie is a free range chicken, allowed to run and forage outdoors in an open-air, fenced area outside the barn.  Rosie's diet consists of 100% certified organic corn and soybean grown on soil that has been free of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers for at least three years. Petaluma Poultry raises Rosie in accordance with the organic protocols independently verified by Oregon Tilth, a third party certifier. Oregon Tilth visits the poultry houses, feed mill and processing plant to confirm that organic practices are followed at all times.  Their newest product, Rocky Dog, is a nitrate free chicken product that is an alternative to the traditional hot dog.

Since 2000, when an employee-based Sustainability Team formed, Petaluma Poultry has instituted a number of programs designed to reduce the company’s ecological footprint and has made impressive progress:  they have reduced natural gas usage at the feed mill by 9.2% while increasing output; converted lighting in poultry houses; and worked with the USDA and the University of California Davis, to study a pilot project to reduce chlorine usage in the processing plant by sanitizing with ozone.

Huffman praised the company for its outstanding business practices, “Petaluma Poultry’s commitment to the highest standards in its comprehensive sustainability program—including  sustainable farming practices, business operations, economic profitability and workforce environment—are ambitious and commendable and make it a model for businesses throughout the North Bay.”

Accepting the award, Junkel thanked the Assemblyman and replied, “Petaluma Poultry is fully committed to sustainability; we have an abiding respect for the agricultural roots of Sonoma County.  Sustainable, diversified farming is Sonoma County’s future.”

Each month Huffman selects a business or organization in the 6th Assembly District to recognize for outstanding sustainable practices in the North Bay.