Couche-Tard commits to cage-free eggs globally
The new policy builds on the company's 2018 pledge to source cage-free eggs for its corporate-owned stores.
Alimentation Couche-Tard has announced a new pledge to source only cage-free eggs for all stores globally by 2025, including all franchised and licensed locations. The company operates over 14,000 stores.
"We are constantly looking at ways we can do more and do better for our people, our customers, our planet and our prosperity. We are proud to engage our global franchise community on our commitment to selling cage-free eggs in our stores and grateful for the support of Lever Foundation in our efforts," said Helena Winberg, Director of Global Sustainability for Couche-Tard.
The new policy builds on the company's 2018 pledge to source cage-free eggs for its corporate-owned stores. The move reflects the increasing shift by leading food companies to require licensees and franchisees to eliminate caged eggs across global supply chains, as well as the increasing availability of cage-free supply in international markets such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
"For Circle K franchisees outside of Canada and the U.S. to commit to the company's corporate goal to sell cage-free whole eggs, they needed access to reputable and sustainable suppliers, which until recently has been challenging in some regions," Alimentation Couche-Tard noted in a press release on its new policy.
With most stores operating under the Circle K brand, Couche-Tard’s network is spread globally with over 9,000 in the U.S. and Canada, 2,500 in Europe, 1,200 in Asia across China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia, and 1,000 in North Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Latin America.
"Supply chains and adoption of cage-free egg production continue to improve in North American and international markets […] Lever has been working to provide egg producers with expert advice, materials and resources to help them shift toward cage-free production and is assisting Couche-Tard in connecting franchisees to those suppliers,” added the international retailer.
Lever Foundation, a global NGO that works with companies to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, congratulated Couche-Tard on the move.
"We encourage more convenience store chains and food companies generally to follow Alimentation Couche-Tard's great example on this key sustainability issue," said Kirsty Tuxford, Corporate Engagement Manager at Lever Foundation.
