U.S. pharmacy retailer Rite Aid has shortened its 100% cage-free egg sourcing timeline in its grocery department to year-end 2022.
In 2016, the chain made its original commitment, stating it would source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. Now, the company has pledged to offer only cage-free eggs across its 2,289 locations in the U.S. by the end of the year.
Rite Aid’s accelerated commitment follows pledges from pharmacy chains CVS Health and Walgreens.
In May 2022, Walgreens committed to source only cage-free eggs by the end of the year in all its 9,021 locations, shortening its conversion timeline by two years.
In April 2022, CVS Health committed to source only cage-free eggs by the end of the year in all 9,900 of its locations, condensing its conversion timeline by two years.
Some restaurants are missing deadlines
While some companies like Rite Aid, CVS Health and Walgreens are going as far as shortening their cage-free timelines, some restaurants in the U.S. are having to make new pledges after failing to meet their original goals.
Red Robin initially pledged to source 100% cage-free eggs and egg products by 2010. However, its new commitment states that its current egg supply chain is approximately 15% cage free. The restaurant promises that 100% of its shell and hard-boiled egg supply will come from cage-free sources by 2024 at the latest.
Quiznos originally pledged to source 100% cage-free eggs by the beginning of 2022 but recently stated it has experienced supply chain issues. The restaurant’s new commitment reveals plans to be 25% cage free in 2024 and 100% in 2025.
Black Bear Diner formerly pledged to source 100% cage-free eggs by the beginning of 2021. However, the restaurant claimed on July 1, 2022, that only 50% of the eggs it sources are cage free. The chain’s revised plan shows an increase to 75% cage free by the end of 2023, and 100% by the end of 2024.
