Sainsbury’s is one of the UK’s largest grocery store chains.  So it was big news when they announced that they would no longer sell eggs from chickens raised in battery cages.  Around 40 percent of the eggs they sell are produced this way (surprisingly, 60 percent are already from free-range chickens).  One of the most interesting things about this change is the reasoning behind it…the public refused to buy these eggs anymore.  I find it fascinating (and exciting) that shoppers in the UK have become so ethically aware that they are boycotting eggs from chickens raised in these conditions and opt to purchase the slightly more expensive free-range (certified) eggs.

This is a perfect example of what happens when we put our money where our mouth is.  Money controls what we eat.  We have the choice to give it to people that will give us good stuff to eat.  The people in the UK are becoming aware of this and change is underway.  I would like to think that we here in the US will start doing the same soon.

On a side note, while I was perusing the Sainsbury’s site I found this link that traces the origination of their organic produce by entering a couple of numbers from it.   Now that is pretty cool.

Sainsbury’s sells around 150million battery-cage eggs a year - one in four of all those on its shelves.  The company’s policy will effectively remove some 600,000 hens from cages over the next four years. Trading director Mike Coupe said: "Sainsbury’s is firmly committed to phasing out all its caged eggs ahead of 2012, and is currently working with its egg suppliers to achieve 100 per cent UK cage-free eggs as soon as possible.

"This commitment reflects the company’s seriousness in addressing how it sources ethically, as well as responding to its customers concerns."

continue reading at DailyMail

Tags: Interesting, Organic