Saint Cloud State University Hatches a Cage-Free Egg Policy

WASHINGTON — Today, The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, announced that Minnesota's Saint Cloud State University Dining Services will be phasing in the use of cage-free eggs in its student dining facilities. The HSUS praised this move as an important step for animal welfare.

Sodexho at SCSU has chosen to begin its transition away from the use of eggs from caged hens from its dining facilities, effective February 27.

Erin Gaynor, Marketing Specialist for Sodexho at SCSU, states, "Saint Cloud State University is proud of our move toward cage-free eggs, which furthers our commitment to social responsibility and sustainability."

SCSU joins other Minnesota schools such as St. Paul's Macalester College and Northwestern College, as well as Northfield's St. Olaf College, in enacting a policy to eliminate or greatly reduce the use of eggs from caged hens. Across the country, more than 100 schools have done the same, including University of Wisconsin-Madison, Berkeley, Stanford, Princeton and Yale.

In the United States, approximately 95 percent of eggs sold come from hens confined in barren battery cages so small the birds can't even spread their wings or walk, let alone nest, forage, perch and dust bathe. The cages are stacked one on top of another inside huge warehouses on factory farms. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live, leading to extremely high levels of stress and frustration.

"Saint Cloud State University has taken a positive step for animal welfare by phasing out its use of eggs from caged birds," commented Paul Shapiro, Factory Farming Campaign director for The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States applauds Sodexho's efforts to reduce animal suffering, and we encourage other schools to follow its example."

Several major companies have also implemented similar policies. Grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace have eliminated their sales of battery cage eggs, and Trader Joe's has converted all of its brand eggs to cage-free. Food service provider Bon Appétit has also begun phasing in the exclusive use of cage-free eggs for all of its 400 cafés. And Ben & Jerry's is phasing out the use of eggs from caged hens as well. Even local governments, such the city councils in West Hollywood, Calif. and Takoma Park, Md., have passed resolutions condemning the confinement of laying hens in battery cages and urging consumers of eggs not to buy eggs from caged hens.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.