Grocery Retailer Tracks Gestation Crate Phase Out

Nearly 60 food companies including Oscar Meyer, Safeway, and McDonald’s have banned the sale of meat that is raised in gestation crates, and now another historic step has been taken to ensure that suppliers comply with the animal-welfare standards. Delhaize America, one of the largest food purveyors in the country, is demanding that their meat suppliers give an annual report detailing their progress toward eliminating gestation crates in their farming practices. “Consistent with its commitment to animal welfare, Delhaize America is encouraging supplier efforts to eliminate gestation stall housing for sows and move to open pen solutions,” says the national food company in a news release. “The company is asking all suppliers to report in 2014 on their progress in this direction.” Delhaize is the owner of major grocery outlets Food Lion, Hannaford, and Bottom Dollar Grocery.