Tops, H-E-B and Alex Lee Plan to Shift to Cage-Free Egg Supply

Tops Friendly Markets, H-E-B and Alex Lee are among a growing group of food retailers, restaurant chains and food manufacturers with plans to source only cage-free eggs. 

While Tops, based in Williamsville, N.Y., has provided an option for both conventional eggs and cage free-organic eggs for numerous years, the company plans to source 100 percent of its eggs locally from chickens in cage free housing by 2025 based upon available supply. "We are proud to support over 300 local companies and 200 local farmers to bring thousands of local products to our customers," say company officials.

According to H-E-B officials, the retailer is the largest seller of cage‑free eggs in Texas, offering cage‑free options in every store.

"At H‑E‑B, we understand the high standards our customers, communities and suppliers have come to expect from us," officials said in a statement on the company's website. "We work with the best minds in the industry, utilizing the best academic research and the expertise of government agencies and non‑governmental organizations to continuously improve animal welfare across all categories, including eggs.

With the help of experts, H-E-B works closely with its suppliers to ensure animal safety and welfare, while at the same time delivering egg availability and affordability for Texas families, including supporting the Texas WIC program, important to many mothers and children across Texas.

"We recognize that the transition costs for our egg farmers to migrate to cage‑free systems are significant and will require time to implement," officials added. "H‑E‑B will continue to work closely with suppliers to move toward 100 percent cage‑free eggs by 2025, provided we have adequate supply, sufficient consumer demand and pricing is affordable for our customers."

Alex Lee Inc.'s goal is to transition its grocery stores to a 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain by 2025, subject to regulatory changes. The step is an outcome of the company’s independent review of industry capability and readiness, and represents a commitment to continuously improving the food supply chain while maintaining the affordable prices that customers expect, say company officials.

Alex Lee is Hickory, N.C.-based a family-owned and operated company that employs approximately 10,000 people. It serves as the parent company to Merchants Distributors, LLC, which provides full-service, wholesale distribution to more than 600 supermarkets across 11 states; and Lowes Foods, LLC, which includes 94 full-service grocery stores operating under the Lowes Foods and JustSave banners within North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. 

Tops, H-E-B and Alex Lee join retailers like SpartanNash, Gelson's Markets, Brookshire Grocery Company, Walmart, Meijer, Raley's, Weis Markets, Ingles Markets, Bashas’ Supermarkets, Supervalu, Kroger and Kings Food Markets who have made the commitment to cage-free egg supplies.