USA – Cargill has been on the forefront in enabling McDonald’s to fulfil its promise to source 100% cage-free eggs for its U.S. restaurants, two years ahead of its original 2025 deadline.
This accomplishment, made possible through the close collaboration with Cargill, marks a milestone in the restaurant chain’s commitment to ethical sourcing and animal welfare.
The journey began in September 2015 when McDonald’s announced its ambitious goal of transitioning to a completely cage-free egg supply by 2025.
The move required a fundamental shift in how the company’s eggs were produced, necessitating that all eggs be sourced from hens raised in a cage-free environment—a significant challenge given that McDonald’s purchased nearly 2 billion eggs in 2023 alone.
As McDonald’s primary egg supplier, Cargill played a crucial role in making this transition a reality. The two companies worked in tandem with egg producers to establish a sustainable supply chain for cage-free eggs.
This involved not only supplying the eggs but also assisting producers in adapting to the new standards.
Cargill and McDonald’s supported egg producers throughout the process, facilitating visits to Europe where producers could observe cage-free housing systems in action.
This collaboration also included working closely with farmers to identify the necessary changes and investments required to either build new facilities or convert existing ones to cage-free production.
The partnership extended to leveraging research from the Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply, of which both Cargill and McDonald’s are founding members.
This research helped address challenges associated with cage-free egg production, ensuring that the transition was both scientifically grounded and economically viable.
To further support the producers, Cargill hosted annual summits where best practices related to biosecurity and hen welfare were shared.
Additionally, the company provided substantial financial backing, offering nearly US$850 million in financing since 2019 to help producers make the transition.
Long-term contracts were also extended to secure additional financing from lenders.
Today, egg suppliers like Forsman Farms and Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, a family-operated business in Michigan, are among those contributing to McDonald’s ability to maintain its 100% cage-free egg supply in the U.S.
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