Mariano’s, a grocery chain owned by retail giant Kroger, has long been a trusted neighborhood staple in Chicago. Mariano’s built their brand on promises of “community-mindedness” and “premium standards.” But behind the bougie branding lies a filthy secret: the Kroger-owned retailer is profiting from cage cruelty.
Caged hens endure physical and psychological trauma. They’re packed so tightly together that they are unable to spread their wings or walk more than a few steps. The wire floors cause foot pain and injuries, and they’re denied essential behaviors, including foraging and nesting.
Acknowledging this horrific cruelty, Mariano’s and Kroger publicly pledged to transition to 100% cage-free sourcing by 2025. Chicago consumers welcomed the commitment as a true sign of corporate responsibility, but Mariano’s has since abandoned their word.
Now, artists, creators, and public figures representing the city are calling on Mariano’s to honor their abandoned decade-old pledge. The signatories agree that, as a brand with deep roots in the region, Mariano’s has the responsibility to fulfill their cage-free promise.
The open letter was signed by a diverse coalition of local leaders, including Joanne Molinaro (NYT bestselling author & James Beard award-winning creator), Anthony Molinaro (award-winning concert pianist, composer, & educator), Nemanja Golubovic (award-winning restaurateur & Founder/CEO, Kale My Name), Tee Sanders (NAACP image award-winning creator & entertainer), Dr. Paula Freedman-Diamond (licensed clinical Psychologist & Founder, HumanKind Psych), Dr. Kiarra King (FACOG board-certified OB/GYN, media personality, & creator), Chef Katie Simmons (plant-Based culinary expert & Founder, Plants-Rule), Alice Trellakis (fitness & lifestyle content creator), Jonny Morelli (health coach, content creator & public speaker), and Natalie Rigazio Slater (content creator & author, Bake and Destroy).
What You Can Do
Join Mercy For Animals and these prominent Chicago voices in speaking up for animals by calling on Kroger and Mariano’s to keep their promise and end cage cruelty. Take action today at MarianosUnmasked.com.
