U.S grocery chain Sprouts Farmers Market is now selling only cage-free shell and liquid eggs. The announcement applies to all shell and liquid eggs sold at the grocer.
The chain operates across 384 locations, primarily in California (130), Arizona (44) and Florida (33). The grocer’s egg brand has been cage-free since 2016.
“Sprouts has been at the forefront of sourcing cage-free or better eggs for many years. Our Sprouts Brand eggs have been cage-free or better since 2016. As part of our ongoing commitment to improved animal welfare, as of December 2021, all shell and liquid eggs sold in Sprouts stores are now sourced from cage-free, organic or free-range farms,” states the company’s updated animal welfare policy.
“We are engaging our suppliers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure our policies and targets for continuous improvement are progressive, meaningful and help drive the industry forward.”
Kim Coffin, Senior Vice president of Grocery told Supermarket News, “Sprouts shoppers are conscious of where their food comes from, and we’re pleased to now offer cage-free or better eggs across the category as part of our ongoing commitment to improved animal welfare.”
Sprout’s other animal welfare initiatives
In August 2021, Sprouts pledged to adopt the practices of the Better Chicken Commitment by implementing a three-step approach in its supply chain.
Sprouts committed to improving the environment for its chickens, including litter, lighting, and enrichments, as per the Better Chicken Commitment, standards by 2024. It will reduce stocking densities to 6.0 lbs/sq foot and prohibit cages to allow chickens more room to move by 2025. Additionally, the commitment includes processing 100% of chickens in a manner that avoids pre-stun handling. Instead, the company will utilize a multi-step controlled-atmosphere processing system that induces an irreversible stun (controlled atmosphere stunning or CAS) by 2026.
