Rumiano Cheese Company Continues Humane Practices with American Humane Association’s Certified Free Farmed

Denver (July 30, 2007)

The American Humane Association has approved Rumiano Cheese Company in Crescent City and Willows, Calif., as American Humane Certified Free Farmed®. The Free Farmed program provides independent verification that livestock and poultry are raised humanely, in accordance with animal welfare standards set forth by American Humane. Rumiano says it sought the certification to help its organic producers advertise what they have been doing for generations: raising and treating their animals humanely.

Producers certified through American Humane’s Certified Free Farmed program must ensure that their animals have ready access to fresh water, a nutritious diet and medical care. Producers also must provide their animals with a comfortable environment that limits stress and enables them to freely express their normal behaviors. Rumiano Cheese producers allow their Jersey cows to graze in lush pastures in an unspoiled coastal environment year-round. All of the cows are treated in a humane fashion and never given artificial hormones, and the milk never contains antibiotics.

“This certification shows the consumer all of the hard work that the dairymen put into their dairies and cows everyday,” said Joby Rumiano, fourth-generation owner of Rumiano Cheese Company. “We are really excited to have this designation be a part of our longstanding history of firsts in the cheese business.”

Rumiano Cheese products are sold under proprietary brands such as Rumiano, Landmark, California Premium, Willow Maid, California Mission David Jack's, as well as many other privately labeled products. It also supplies products to Sysco Corporation, which is a large distribution company for many fine restaurants and retail food chains. Rumiano Cheese products may be found at Costco, Raley’s, Safeway, Sherms Thunderbird Markets, Whole Foods, Grocery Outlet, Beverages and More, Ray's Food Place and countless other quality markets and specialty food stores. For information please go to http://www.rumianocheese.com/.

For more information on American Humane Certified Free Farmed Program, please go to www.americanhumane.org/freefarmed.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the exclusive authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane® Certified™ farm animal program is the nation’s original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food (www.thehumanetouch.org). American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

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