Albertsons, Delhaize America to sell only cage-free eggs

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies and Salisbury, N.C.-based Delhaize America both announced  that they will be working with their suppliers to reach a goal of sourcing only cage-free eggs for store operations by 2025, based on available supply. "We take our commitment to providing responsibly sourced products seriously, and that responsibility extends naturally into ensuring our suppliers uphold humane animal welfare practices," said Shane Sampson, chief marketing and merchandising officer, Albertsons. "The transition to cage-free eggs will help us continue to provide a great humane product to our customers while ensuring that our suppliers have ample time to prepare their operations to meet increased demand from retailers."

Albertsons said it sources product for more than 2,200 stores from reputable vendors with a track record for treating animals in the food production system humanely. The company has worked for several years to significantly expand the varieties of eggs it offers, including organic, free-range and cage-free, to keep pace with what customers seek on the shelves. Consumers have responded positively to the expanded choices in the egg aisle.

Delhaize America and its Food Lion and Hannaford banners will work toward a 100 percent cage-free shell egg assortment first in its private brand selection, which accounts for the majority of shell egg sales. The company said it will then continually increase its overall supply of cage-free eggs to obtain 100 percent cage-free in all shell eggs offerings by 2025 or sooner based on available supply, affordability and customer demand.

"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 said it will report publically on the number of eggs impacted, with an aim to increase that number year over year.

"Both Food Lion and Hannaford have increased the availability of cage-free shell egg options in both its private label and national label egg offerings, and will continue to increase the number of cage-free shell options as quickly as possible based on available supply, customer demand and affordability," Fleeman said.