The University of Montana Western has joined a growing movement toward improving the lives of farm animals. Effective February 29, all shell (whole) eggs that Montana Western serves its students are cage-free—a new policy that drew praise from The Humane Society of the United States.
Brenda Borjas, assistant director of Montana Western Dining Services, worked on the new policy with Kevin Moore, Farm to College coordinator and Foodcorps Vista volunteer. Borjas stated, "I'm proud that through a simple purchasing change, we were able to further our commitment to social responsibility—and improve the lives of animals."
"Cramming hens inside cages so tiny they can't even spread their wings is cruel and inhumane," said Paul Shapiro, senior director of The HSUS' factory farming campaign. "Montana Western is right to join the growing number of colleges moving away from using eggs from caged hens."
Montana Western joins hundreds of schools—including University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Washington—in using cage-free eggs in their cafeterias.
Facts
- U.S. factory farms confine approximately 280 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, the birds can't even spread their wings. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live for more than a year before she's slaughtered.
- While cage-free does not 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.
- Shell eggs are whole, unbroken eggs.
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 announces that it has started phasing in cage-free eggs in its North American locations.
- March 2007—Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announces that he will no longer use cage eggs.
- September 2006—Ben & Jerry's announces that it will phase out cage eggs in its ice creams.
- May 2005—Whole Foods Market announce that they have 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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About The Humane Society of the United States
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 www.humanesociety.org.
About The University of Montana Western
The University of Montana Western was established in 1893 in Dillon, Mont. Originally the state's normal school for teacher education, the university now provides undergraduate degrees in a number of liberal arts, professional and pre-professional areas. Montana Western is the only public higher education institution in the country using an innovative class scheduling system called Experience One in which students take one class at a time. The university's curriculum emphasizes experiential learning combining classroom theory with real-world practice.
