CHICAGO – Conagra Brands will accelerate its transition to 100% cage-free eggs by converting all of the company’s egg usage to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2024, one year earlier than its original commitment to directly source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025.

The company announced plans to convert approximately 20% of its egg usage to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2021; approximately 45–50% to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2022; approximately 60–70% to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2023; and directly source 100% cage-free eggs by the end of fiscal year 2024.

"Operating ethically and employing responsible animal welfare practices is important for our customers, our investors, and our company, and we're proud to accelerate our progress on this important issue," said Katya Hantel, senior director of sustainability at Conagra Brands.

The company first announced its intention to transition to cage-free eggs in the United States in 2016. ConAgra’s Supplier Quality Program outlines specific expectations for humane animal care, and the company continues to expand and refine this program. Conagra also has encouraged its suppliers to purchase only from farms that comply with industry guidelines, such as those established by the US Department of Agriculture and the Food Marketing Institute.

"Consumers want animals in the food supply to be treated better and we applaud Conagra for accelerating its progress in that direction," said Josh Balk, vice president of Farm Animal Protection for the Humane Society of the United States.