Students help stop KFC coming to campus

This year, a decision was made to replace Burger King at Marketplace. After surveys, much discussion, and consideration of institutional constraints, KFC became the top choice.

But right before the agreement was finalized, word of the pending agreement spread to students and faculty involved in sustainability. They quickly pointed out that the university has a strong commitment to sustainability, including in food. Both the Campus Sustainability Plan and the recent contract with Sodexo state a commitment to the four main dimensions to sustainability in food:

* organic
* locally grown
* fair trade
* humane treatment of animals

KFC, however, is a virtual poster child for animal cruelty in food production. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has waged a long campaign against the treatment of chickens at KFC's suppliers, including Tyson and Perdue. For criticism of KFC, click here.

KFC refutes these charges, saying that since 2004 they have become a leader in animal welfare with stringest policies and an animal welfare advisory board. For KFC's policies, click here. For their letter to the editor of the UW Oshkosh Advance-Titan, click here.

However, students and faculty researched the issue further and found the following:

· One of their major achievements, they say, is creating an Animal Welfare Advisory Council. However, after the council made recommendations in 2005, several of the animal welfare council members resigned in protest because KFC refused to implement those recommendations. Click here for a summary.

· Two undercover investigations in 2007 turned up evidence that animal cruelty was continuing in KFC suppliers.

· In June of 2008, KFC Canada agreed to guidelines recommended by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), including Controlled Atmosphere Killing. KFC USA, on the other hand, has steadfastly refused to accept those guidelines.

· The KFC website lists many impressive animal welfare policies, but gives no real evidence that those policies are being followed. They simply say that “our suppliers assure us” that the policies are being followed. To see that statement, click here.

· On April 10, 2009, PETA filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission charging that the KFC website is false and misleading concerning animal welfare. For a summary of this action, click here.  For the complaint, click here.

Given these troubling facts and KFC's reputation, students wondered whether signing a six-year contract with KFC was appropriate given for a university commited to sustainability. Over a few days, they got over 450 signatures on a petition calling for the university to drop KFC. (Click here for Advance Titan article)

The university acted as one would expect of an institution seriously interested in sustainability. The issue was returned to the groups that had approved the KFC deal. The decisive vote came from the Reeve Advisory Council (RAC). David Barnhill, Co-Chair of the Campus Sustainability Council, reviewed the importance of food in sustainability and the case against KFC. Environmental Studies major Molly Battist spoke, showing RAC the petitions and saying that if KFC came to campus, student protests would be likely.

The result: all but one member of RAC voted against bringing KFC to campus. The university is now considering other options, including one that offers more vegetarian and vegan meals.

This was a fine example of students fighting for sustainability and making a difference on campus.

PETA gave UW Oshkosh students a Compassionate Student Award for their work. For their statement, click here.