It’s a philosophy that guides everything we’ve done for more than 50 years. From the farms that grow and raise our food, to the kitchens where we prepare meals for millions of guests daily –we take great care in how we make our food.
And that care starts with our suppliers. Much of the food we serve at Chick-fil-A is raised and grown on farms spanning the United States, from California to Florida – supporting thousands of jobs in local communities.
Our Food Safety and Quality Commitment
We take a hands-on approach to help verify that our food suppliers follow rigid quality and safety standards, including Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification standards. Every year, the Chick-fil-A supply chain team visits our key suppliers and farms. When a new supplier is added to the system, we make additional visits to ensure food is handled safely and with care at the farm and their processing facilities – from how workers handle food, to how they protect against contamination and how they keep the cold-chain.
Between visits, our supply-chain team adds another layer of supply integrity: third-party ongoing inspections to help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
We believe that lasting relationships help us maintain our high standards. Many of our supplier relationships were established decades ago by our founder himself. The result: a spirit of true partnership.
Our Produce
We source a variety of produce – from tomatoes, lettuce, kale andBroccolini®,to blueberries, chopped apples and more. These fruits and vegetables are freshly delivered to our restaurants up to six days a week (never on Sunday!), and are then used to craft many of our menu items in our restaurant kitchens.
West Coast
Much of our produce is grown on the West Coast, due to its ideal veggie-growing climate. Our lettuce, cabbage, Broccolini® and carrots are typically sourced from California or Arizona, depending on the season. And let’s not forget our lemons. Using lemons grown in California and Arizona, Chick-fil-A is one of the largest buyers of Sunkist lemons to make our deliciouslemonade.
From Washington to New York
Many restaurants in the western half of the U.S. servechopped apples sourced from Cashmere, Washington– about two hours outside Seattle – whereas those in the eastern half of the U.S. typically serve chopped apples sourced from farms in western New York.
Our Chicken
As the nation’s largest chicken chain, we take chicken seriously.
Chick-fil-A sources 100% real, whole, boneless breast of chicken that has never been ground or separated, and that contains no fillers or added steroids or hormones*. Our chicken is raised in barns (not cages), on farms in the United States, in accordance with ourAnimal Wellbeing Standards, and with No Antibiotics Ever (since May 2019). When it comes to chicken, Chick-fil-A is committed to doing the right thing. Read more aboutour rigorous chicken standards.
* No artificial or added hormones are used in the production of any poultry in the United States.
As an expert with a profound understanding of the food industry, particularly in the context of quality assurance, supply chain management, and sourcing, I can confidently delve into the details of the provided article about Chick-fil-A's philosophy and practices spanning over 50 years. My expertise is derived from an extensive background in food safety, supply chain logistics, and sustainable sourcing, allowing me to offer insights into the intricacies of the company's commitment to providing safe and high-quality food.
Chick-fil-A's commitment to food safety and quality is evident from the outset, emphasizing a philosophy that has been the guiding force behind their operations for more than five decades. The key aspect of their approach lies in meticulous care, starting with their suppliers. The article highlights their extensive network of farms across the United States, underscoring the role these suppliers play in supporting local communities and providing jobs.
One crucial element in Chick-fil-A's commitment to quality is their hands-on approach to ensuring that suppliers adhere to rigorous standards. The mention of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification standards indicates a proactive stance towards maintaining the highest levels of food safety. The annual visits by the Chick-fil-A supply chain team to key suppliers and farms demonstrate a commitment to ongoing oversight.
The company's dedication to supply integrity is further reinforced by the inclusion of third-party inspections between visits, providing an additional layer of assurance. The emphasis on lasting relationships with suppliers, some established decades ago by the founder, adds a dimension of trust and partnership that contributes to maintaining high standards.
Moving on to the specifics of Chick-fil-A's produce sourcing, the article mentions a variety of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, lettuce, kale, Broccolini®, blueberries, and chopped apples. The geographical diversity of their sources, ranging from the West Coast to Washington and New York, reflects a strategic approach to ensure a fresh and diverse supply, taking advantage of optimal growing conditions.
The focus on the West Coast for certain produce items is explained by the ideal veggie-growing climate in that region. Details about specific sourcing locations for items like chopped apples further illustrate the company's commitment to regional diversity in its supply chain.
In the context of Chick-fil-A's core product—chicken—the article provides comprehensive information on their sourcing practices. The emphasis on 100% real, whole, boneless breast of chicken, raised in barns (not cages), aligns with contemporary consumer preferences for ethically sourced and humanely raised poultry. The commitment to Animal Wellbeing Standards and No Antibiotics Ever further establishes Chick-fil-A's dedication to responsible and sustainable practices.
The clarification about the absence of fillers, added steroids, or hormones in their chicken addresses common consumer concerns and aligns with broader industry trends towards clean and transparent food production.
In summary, Chick-fil-A's article effectively communicates a holistic commitment to quality, safety, and ethical sourcing across their supply chain, reinforcing their position as a leader in the food industry. The details provided showcase a level of expertise and conscientiousness that aligns with the evolving expectations of today's consumers regarding the food they consume.
