WattAgNet: All eggs sold at Kroger, Delhaize stores to be cage-free

Written March 4, 2016 By Roy Graber
Both grocery companies plan to complete transition to cage-free eggs by 2025

Two major grocery store companies – Kroger and Delhaize America – have plans to sell only eggs from cage-free farms at their stores by 2025.

The companies made their announcement shortly after a similar announcement was made by rival grocery corporation Albertsons Companies, which also plans to sell only cage-free eggs by 2025.

Kroger
“As our customer base has been moving to cage-free at an increasing rate, Kroger’s goal is to transition to a 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain by 2025. The Kroger family of stores is committed to working with our suppliers during this transition in a way that ensures eggs are readily available, safely produced and affordably priced for all of our customers,” the company said in a statement.

In a press release, Kroger stated that it has been a leader in cage-free eggs for many years, offering cage-free eggs under Kroger’s Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic brands.

In 2015, cage-free eggs accounted for 15 percent of the eggs sold at stores within the Kroger company.

Kroger and grocery and convenience store chains include Dillons, Fred Meyer, Smith’s, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, City Market, Roundy’s, Baker’s, King Soopers, Fry’s Food & Drug, Loaf ‘N Jug, Tom Thumb  and Kwik Shop. The company operates more than 2,600 supermarkets and multi-department stores and 786 convenience stores.

Delhaize America
Delhaize America, parent company of the Food Lion and Hannaford grocery chains, said it plans to continually increase its overall supply of cage-free eggs as it progresses toward its goal of having all shell eggs coming from cage-free operations by 2025. It added if the needed supply of cage-free eggs were to become available sooner, the transition will be completed earlier than 2025.

"Delhaize America supports continuous improvement in animal welfare practices through its comprehensive approach to sustainability," said JJ Fleeman, chief strategy and development officer at Delhaize America. "Today's cage-free egg announcement is another step we are taking to ensure the humane treatment of animals while also reinforcing a number of strong sustainability practices we have implemented across our organization."

The company will report publicly on the number of eggs impacted, with an aim to increase that number year over year.  Delhaize America operates more than 1,200 stores.