WINNING UPDATE ON THE TRADER JOE'S CAMPAIGN

Two years ago, Trader Joe's agreed to limit its sales of eggs from caged hens following a televised, investigative report showing conditions at one of its egg suppliers, Gemperle Farms. The 2005 footage, supplied by Farm Sanctuary, revealed horrific conditions in which hens were packed into dilapidated wire cages, suffering and dying amid filth. Then, in early 2007, Farm Sanctuary received more footage from Gemperle Farms' battery-cage facilities showing identical conditions. Now in 2008, additional footage was released by Mercy for Animals showing that the cruel and grossly inhumane practices at Gemperle have continued. Thankfully after viewing this most recent footage Monrovia-based chain decided against carrying Gemperle eggs because "it is of utmost importance that all of our vendors abide by industry established animal care practices," Trader Joe's spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said. We congratulate Trader Joe's for responding to the acts in the video. We hope that Trader Joe's will take the next step and stop selling any eggs from battery caged hens.

Farm Sanctuary is now asking Trader Joe's, which has just decided to take Gemperle eggs off of their shelves, to stop selling all eggs from battery-caged hens.

A note on Trader Joe's Web site reads:

At Trader Joe's we listen to what our customers tell us about the choices we give them. Thanks to their valued feedback, in 2005 we made an important change in our egg selection. As of this time, all Trader Joe's brand eggs come only from cage-free hens. . . Any conventional eggs sold in our stores are in a brand name carton, not under the Trader Joe's label.

Trader Joe's decision to limit its sales of battery-cage eggs, and to quit carrying eggs from Gemperle Farms, is a step in the right direction. However, the company still supports tremendous animal cruelty by continuing to sell eggs from hens confined in battery cages at other factory farms. Hens confined to a life in a battery cage experience tremendous suffering, unable to even spread their wings or walk. Farm Sanctuary urges Trader Joe's to no longer carry any eggs from caged hens in any of its stores.

You Can Help

Concerned consumers can let Trader Joe's know that selling eggs from battery-caged hens under any label supports animal cruelty. Ask Trader Joe's to continue to build upon its commitment to customer concerns by ceasing sales of all battery-cage eggs.Remind Trader Joe's that banning battery cage eggs puts them in the good company of almost 800,000 Californians who have signed petitions to place the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act on the California state ballot to ban some of the worst abuses in animal agriculture.

Dane Bane, CEO
Trader Joe's Company
800 South Shamrock Ave.
Monrovia, CA 91016
Phone: 626-599-3700
Fax: 626-301-4431

Or send an email through the Trader Joe's Web site at www.traderjoes.com.

Stopping all sales of eggs from caged chickens is the only way Trader Joe's can stop its complicity in battery cage cruelty and truly live up to its image as a supplier of wholesome food products.