McDonald’s has just announced that the Lakes Free Range Egg Company is now a “2014 Best of Sustainable Supply” award winner, featuring in a report which highlights how suppliers across the globe are achieving significant results with sustainable solutions.

There were over 600 entries submitted (40% increase on 2012), with the Lakes Free Range Egg Company earning a prestigious place alongside 50 other leading global projects. McDonald’s leadership and external experts recognised the Lakes Free Range Egg Company for sustainability leadership in the ‘Animal Health and Welfare’ category.

‘The Lakes’ has been supplying McDonald’s with free range eggs for over a decade and also plays a vital role in animal welfare research. This is the second time ‘the Lakes’ has been recognised by McDonald’s as a global case study.

Focusing on the highest standards of welfare and environmental excellence, ‘the Lakes’ has developed a tailor-made training programme for producers. The goal, to continually improve the animal welfare and environmental best practice on producer farms.The results have proved financially beneficial for producers.

Jose Armario, Executive Vice President, McDonald’s Global Supply Chain said: “The submissions in the Best of Sustainable Supply report demonstrate that our suppliers go above and beyond to provide sustainable leadership, and that they take their commitment to preserving resources seriously,”

David Brass, Chief Executive Officer at the Lakes Free Rang Egg Company said “We are constantly looking for ways to improve the environment within which we work and are extremely proud to receive the global “Best of Sustainable Supply” Award from McDonald’s. It endorses the work we do on range enrichment, animal welfare research and development and the support we provide for our producers. Our free range egg production is very much in line with their three sustainability E’s: ethics, environment and economics.”