Image representative of typical battery cage farm
Target is neglecting concerns of animal cruelty. The company is falling behind the food industry by continuing to sell eggs from caged hens. Despite stakeholder concerns, Target continues to support controversial battery cage farms where chickens are confined in cages so small that they can barely move with no plan to phase them out. This practice is so unsafe and inhumane that it is illegal in many U.S. states and the entire European Union.
When confronted with these concerns, Target director Chris Leahy has remained silent.
What is the problem?
Who is Chris Leahy?
Chris is a career executive with decades of experience in the technology solutions industry. She is currently the Chair and Chief Executive Officer at CDW. She is on the boards of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Junior Achievement of Chicago, Economic Club of Chicago, and formerly Brown University. Most importantly, in 2021, she joined the Board of Directors at Target.
Now, she’s facing scrutiny for ignoring concerns of animal cruelty.
Can customers trust Target leaders to do the right thing?
Target has historically enjoyed a positive reputation for its commitments to sustainability, social responsibility, and transparency. Now, the company has a concerning track record of weakening or backtracking on animal welfare policies. The company is even falling behind U.S. fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Taco Bell that have eliminated battery cage eggs from their menus. Retail giant Costco is nearly 100 percent cage-free and even dollar stores are installing signs on their egg shelves to educate customers and help shift the market toward cage-free eggs.