A consumer affairs representative for Archway Cookies has e-mailed Advance Indiana Editor Gary R. Welsh confirming that Archway Cookies no longer does business with Ellison Bakery and has not done business with Ellison Bakery for the last year and a half. Joe Dillman, consumer affairs representative for Archway Cookies added that his company "does not condone any form of bigotry, and we apologize for the comments made by a former bakery of ours." Dillman concluded, "Please know that Archway Cookie Company believes in equal rights, and we do our best to portray ourselves as such to the public."
As Advance Indiana reported on July 9, 2005, Ellison Bakery announced it would no longer advertise in Dairy Field magazine because of an editorial the magazine wrote defending Kraft Foods against attacks and calls for a boycott of its products by the American Family Association because of Kraft's pro-gay policies, including sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Olympics in Chicago. A story in Agape Press quoted the bakery's manager, Todd Wallin, as making several bigoted comments towards gays. Wallin described the bakery's reason for pulling the ads "as an expression of values -- and certainly not an attack against homosexuals or those who support the homosexual lifestyle." Wallin added, "I don't want my company to be seen that way, and certainly personally do not want to do things that would promote people making that type of choice."
When Advance Indiana first reported on Ellison Bakery's anti-gay policies as reported in the Agape Press article, Ellision Bakery's website purported itself to be a supplier of a variety of Archway brand cookies. Ellison Bakery has since pulled references to Archway Cookies on its website, presumably at the insistence of Archway Cookies. Advance Indiana's editor left a message on Ellison Bakery's website last weekend protesting the company's anti-gay policies. Ellison Bakery has not responded to the message.
The full text of Joe Dillman's letter on behalf of Archway Cookies is provided below:
Dear Mr. Welsh:
In reference to our telephone conversation Monday morning, I discussed with my supervisor and the Customer Service Department regarding the use of theEllison Bakery in the current production of Archway Products. The Ellison Bakery is no longer affiliated with Archway Cookies, and have not been for the last year and a half. Archway's main production facility is based out of Ashland, Ohio, which is where the majority of the products are produced. Ellison no longer produces any of our baked good.
Archway Cookies, LLC does not condone any form of bigotry, and we apologize for the comments made by a former bakery of ours. Please know that Archway Cookie Company believes in equal rights, and we do our best to portray ourselves as such to the public.
Sincerely,
Joe Dillman
Consumer Affairs
Archway - Mother's
Battle Creek, MI
1.800.444.6205 x9885
3 comments:
hioto
Archway has continued to have its cookies made at Ellison. They have recently had to cut back because it is going bankrupt, but they have not cut off from Ellsion. Shows you which company is truly the more honest company.
I work at archway, I am also gay,, and black i think that its a total mis-representation,, Since the day i started 3yrs ago i have heard homosexual, and black comments. Apparently whom ever thought that archway didnt condone such actions or remarks is SADLY mis informed. Because it has been happening to me for almost 3yrs i have went to both my immediate and general supervisor, and nothing ever happens,, oh i am sorry something did, the persons responsible got sent home approx 2hrs early with out pay. thats it..
Rascoe@neo.rr.com
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