How This Groundbreaking Report Is Making a Difference for Chickens

Since the release of the 2023 Count Your Chickens Report in August, companies have continued to make progress toward reducing suffering in their chicken supply chains. Several companies have republished their chicken welfare commitments that were offline and started reporting progress toward their goals. Many companies have even published time-bound roadmaps for reaching full implementation of their policies. 

Though a lot of work remains to be done, we commend the companies that have taken meaningful action in the past few months by prioritizing chicken welfare in their supply chains and demonstrating public transparency. 

Republished Policies:

CAVA has republished its Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) policy and started reporting progress.  UNFI has republished its animal welfare policies, including the BCC, and pledged to start reporting progress in December 2023. 

Started Reporting Progress for the First Time:

TGI Fridays has reported progress on BCC-compliant standards. White Castle has reported progress on BCC-compliant standards.   First Watch has reported progress on several components of the BCC.  

Updated Progress Reporting:

Open Farm has updated its progress reporting. Creative Dining Services has committed to publishing in 2024 a roadmap for meeting all components of the BCC.

Newly Published Roadmaps:

Unilever has updated its reporting and published a roadmap for meeting all BCC components by year-end 2026. Elior North America has updated its reporting and published a roadmap for meeting all BCC components by year-end 2028. Applegate has updated reporting and published a roadmap for meeting all BCC components by year-end 2028. (Note: The company is now reporting on controlled-atmosphere stunning (CAS) and breed for the first time.) Natural Grocers has updated reporting (now reporting on breed) and published a roadmap. Natural Grocers has met all BCC components except CAS and breed, which the company reports at 90% fulfillment. The remaining 10% will be met over the next few years. Earth Animal has extended its policy to include 100% of the chicken it sources and published a roadmap for meeting all components of the BCC by year-end 2027. Delaware North has published a plan for meeting all components of the BCC. Southwest Foodservice Excellence has published a roadmap for meeting all BCC components by year-end 2028. Marley Spoon has updated reporting, committed to reporting annual progress, and published a roadmap for meeting all components of the BCC by year-end 2028. Compass Group USA has published a partial roadmap for meeting all BCC components by year-end 2027. The company will complete its roadmap by adding yearly milestones. 

We congratulate these companies on the progress they made in 2023 and look forward to seeing them advance chicken welfare standards in the years to come. Mercy For Animals remains dedicated to prioritizing the Better Chicken Commitment in 2024, and we encourage all companies to transparently demonstrate progress and a clear path to full implementation.

For support or inquiries, companies can reach out to Mercy For Animals’ corporate engagement team at [email protected].

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