MINNEAPOLIS – Target Corp., the fourth-largest food retailer in the US which operates approximately 1,800 locations in 49 states, is the most recent major company that sells meat to notify its pork vendors to phase out their use of gestation crates in raising hogs.

“Target is committed to working with our vendors on the elimination of sow gestation crates by 2022,” the company stated on its Responsible Sourcing website. “Target recognizes this task will involve a large undertaking from our pork product vendors and we will partner closely with our vendors as they work through this transition.”

Target joins more than 30 food companies that have previously agreed to eliminate the cages, including retailers like Costco and Kroger, as well as processors including Cargill, Hormel Foods and Smithfield Foods, among others.