Choices Offers Rockford Customers Better Options |
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April 16, 2008
Rockford, Ill.-based Choices Natural Market is part of a national movement away from some of the worst factory farming abuses. Its refusal to sell products from animals confined in cages or crates and its vegetarian options earned praise from The Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS has added the market to a growing list of companies that are moving away from some of the worst factory farm abuses.
In addition to offering a variety of plant-based foods, Choices is taking a stand against cramming egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and veal calves in tiny cages where the animals can barely move.
Choices co-owner Karen King stated, "Choices is proud of our policy against carrying eggs or pork from caged or crated animals, while also offering a multitude of options for people looking for vegetarian food."
"The Humane Society of the United States commends Choices for helping prevent some of the worst factory farm abuses and for offering vegetarian options. We encourage other retailers to follow its example," said Paul Shapiro, senior director of The HSUS's factory farming campaign.
Facts
- Egg-laying hens, veal calves, and breeding pigs are crammed into tiny cages where they can barely move for nearly their entire lives. Across the country, thousands of restaurants, producers, and retailers are moving away from supporting crates and cages on factory farms.
- Meat-free foods are an important alternative to factory farm animal products. Each year, U.S. factory farms raise and kill more than nine billion farm animals. They endure lives filled with suffering, and they are generally unprotected from even the worst slaughter abuses.
- While cage-free doesn't mean cruelty-free, cage-free hens generally have 250-300 percent more space per bird and are able to engage in more of their natural behaviors than are caged hens. Cage-free hens may not be able to go outside, but they are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests—all behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.
Timeline
- February 2008—Safeway announces a far-reaching animal welfare program, including a purchasing preference for cage-free eggs.
- December 2007—Compass Group, the world's largest food service provider with over 7,500 U.S. clients, begins phasing out cage eggs.
- March 2007—Burger King and Wolfgang Puck announce new animal welfare policies.
- September 2006—Ben & Jerry's announces that it will phase out cage eggs in its ice creams.
- May 2005—Whole Foods Market announces that it has ended sales of cage eggs.
- November 2003—The Better Business Bureau rules that it is misleading to label eggs from battery-caged hens as "Animal Care Certified."
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at
humanesociety.org.
