WattAgNet: Supervalu to sell 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2025

Written March 29, 2016
Grocery chain involves more than 3,400 stores across the United States

U.S. grocery chain Supervalu plans to transition to selling 100 percent cage-free eggs at its retail locations by 2025 or sooner based on available supply, affordability and customer demand. Currently, cage-free eggs account for nearly 12 percent of the company’s total grocery retail egg sales.

The chain, headquartered in Minneapolis, operates 3,407 stores throughout the United States, including 1,336 stores operating under the Save-A-Lot brand.

 “Our decision to move toward selling only cage-free eggs reflects our ongoing commitment to improving animal welfare practices across the industry,” said Mark Van Buskirk, Supervalu’s executive vice president, merchandising, marketing and retail. “Because there is currently a limited supply of cage-free eggs, the transition will take time. We will continue to work with our suppliers to move as quickly as possible toward a sustainable, 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain.”

The company plans to report annually on its progress toward a 100 percent cage-free egg offering.

Supervalu joins a growing list of U.S. grocers making the switch to selling only eggs from cage-free hens. Others in 2016 to announce a commitment to cage-free eggs include Aldi, Fresh Market, Kroger, Delhaize America, Albertsons Companies, Trader Joe’s, Target, Bashas’, Raley’s and Sprouts Farmers Market.

All Supervalu Wild Harvest eggs are now cage-free
In August 2015, Supervalu announced that all of its Wild Harvest shell egg products would be cage-free by the end of last year. Today, the Wild Harvest brand sells only 100 percent cage-free eggs.

“Our national Wild Harvest brand was a natural starting point for understanding customer interest and support for cage-free eggs,” said Van Buskirk. “We also offer additional store brand assortments that are 100 percent cage-free, and as the available supply increases, we will continue to expand our cage-free egg offerings.”