Today’s consumers are presented with more information than ever before about products available in grocery stores like ours. Signs and labels saying “local,” “organic,” “grass fed,” “gluten free,” and more help us choose what products we want to buy and eat, and they help us identify the foods we feel comfortable and safe serving to our families.
The egg section is no exception. There, we see signs and labels designating eggs as “local,” “organic,” “omega-3 enriched,” “cage free,” and “free range,” giving consumers a wide variety of options to consider. So how does one go about choosing? We thought you might find an explanation of the types of eggs we sell at Foodland useful as you decide which eggs to purchase. We also want to share a commitment our company has decided to make regarding our eggs.
TYPES OF EGGS:
Local: Hens and their eggs are from farms located in Hawaii.
Organic: Hens that lay these eggs are fed organic feed that contains no pesticides, drugs, hormones, antibiotics, or animal byproducts. The classification is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Omega-3: Hens are fed food high in Omega-3 (such as flaxseed) which increases the amount of omega-3 fat in the yolks of their eggs.
Cage free: Hens are not kept in cages. Hens have space to move around and behave naturally – nesting, walking and stretching their wings outside of a cage.
Free range: Hens are cage free and have access to the outdoors to roam.
OUR COMMITMENT:
While the safety and quality of the eggs we sell will always be factors in deciding which eggs to buy, we also recognize that the health and welfare of the hens laying the eggs is of increasing concern to many. At Foodland, we have decided to join many other retailers nationwide in setting a goal to source only cage-free eggs for all of our stores statewide by the year 2025. We know there is much to be done in the years ahead until then and are committed to working with our egg suppliers to ensure a smooth transition. We make this pledge In support of humane animal welfare practices based on the information currently available, and will always continue to make the safety and health of our customers our top priority.