Advocates say two of Kroger’s most influential markets can help shape the future of one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers
ATLANTA — Mercy For Animals is calling on communities in Atlanta and Chicago to encourage Kroger to restore a clear path toward its original cage-free egg commitment, arguing that two of the company’s most influential markets have the power to influence national change.
Nearly a decade after publicly committing to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025, Kroger weakened that commitment in 2022, reducing its goal to 70% by 2030. Today, millions of hens in the company’s supply chain remain confined in battery cages, one of the most intensive forms of confinement used in industrial animal agriculture.
Atlanta and Chicago play distinct but influential roles in Kroger’s business. Atlanta is home to one of the company’s largest operating divisions, while Chicago remains the home market of Mariano’s, Kroger’s premium grocery banner. Advocates say these communities have an opportunity to encourage one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers to honor its commitment to consumers and to reduce the suffering of millions of hens.
“Communities have the power to hold companies accountable to the promises they make,” said Arash Yomtobian, president and CEO of Mercy For Animals. “Atlanta and Chicago are two of Kroger’s most influential markets, and consumers in these communities deserve more than shifting timelines and weakened commitments. By restoring a clear path to 100% cage-free sourcing, Kroger can demonstrate that accountability and transparency are more than marketing messages.”
Kroger first announced its commitment to transition to a 100% cage-free egg supply in 2016. Six years later, the company revised that goal, extending its timeline and lowering its target despite growing consumer expectations for improved animal welfare standards and greater corporate transparency.
As the nation’s largest supermarket operator, Kroger’s purchasing decisions influence millions of animals and help shape industry standards across the food system. Mercy For Animals is urging the company to publish a roadmap with clear annual milestones for reaching 100% cage-free sourcing across all banners.
The campaign includes demonstrations, community outreach, and public awareness efforts in Atlanta and Chicago designed to encourage consumers to call on Kroger to fulfill its cage-free commitment.
“When companies make public promises, consumers expect them to be kept,” said Yomtobian. “Kroger made a commitment, then moved the goalpost. Now it has an opportunity to rebuild trust by honoring its cage-free promise and turning words into measurable progress for animals.”
For more information or to take action, visit KrogerUnmasked.com and MarianosUnmasked.com.
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Mercy For Animals is a leading international nonprofit working to end industrial animal agriculture by constructing a just and sustainable food system. Active in Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and the United States, the organization has conducted over 100 investigations of factory farms and slaughterhouses, influenced over 500 corporate policies, and helped pass historic legislation to ban cages for farmed animals. Learn more at MercyForAnimals.org.
