The Canadian retail sector took a compassionate step forward with new cage-free egg developments from grocery chain Nature’s Fare and their sister brand Choices Market. Following years of engagement and accountability efforts by Mercy For Animals, Nature’s Fare confirmed that it is now sourcing 100% cage-free eggs. Meanwhile, Choices Market successfully reached 92% cage-free shell egg sales last year.
Right now, out of the 28 million hens used for egg production in Canada, nearly 80% are kept in cramped cages. The industry traps each hen in a space roughly the size of a sheet of legal paper, with no room to spread her wings, let alone engage in natural behaviors like nesting, perching, or dustbathing.
In 2016, a wave of improved welfare standards seemed imminent when the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and its members pledged to transition to 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. However, when the RCC abandoned its commitment in 2021, many retailers followed suit, stalling progress and leaving millions of hens to suffer in the very conditions they had promised to eliminate.
Despite the setbacks across the industry, some Canadian retailers stood by their commitments and are now demonstrating to their peers that a 100% cage-free transition is possible.
Nature’s Fare and Choices Market are proving that animal welfare commitments are promises that companies must and can keep. By transparently reporting their progress and holding the line on cage-free standards, both brands are helping eliminate the worst cruelty for thousands of hens who rely on corporate accountability for their basic quality of life.
With more than 72% of Canadians supporting cage-free standards, the public demand for improved conditions for hens is undeniable. Change happens when that demand meets action; these achievements were made possible because passionate advocates and conscious Canadian consumers raised their voices to demand an end to cage cruelty.
Walmart Canada’s Broken Cage-Free Commitment
While companies are proving that sourcing eggs from cage-free facilities is possible, Walmart Canada continues to lag. Caged birds can’t wait for change. Visit WalmartMisery.ca to urge the retail giant to fulfill its promise to eliminate cages once and for all.
For companies looking to follow the lead of Nature’s Fare and Choices Market, contact our Corporate Relations team at [email protected] for strategic guidance on advancing your own cage-free transition.
