Sodexo Inc. announced that by July 2014, all of the 39 million eggs it purchases each year will be sourced from cage-free hens. According to the Humane Society of the US, Sodexo’s shift to cage-free eggs will improve the welfare of 150,000 hens annually. Just a few weeks ago, Sodexo announced that it was committed to the removal of gestation stalls from its pork supply chain.

“Shifting to cage-free eggs is just one more way Sodexo is proactively implementing commitments under The Better Tomorrow Plan, our roadmap for sustainability,” says Deborah Hecker, vice president, sustainability and CSR, Sodexo. “Our decision to source shelled eggs exclusively from hens in a cage-free environment specifically addresses our commitments to buy local, seasonal or sustainably grown or raised products.”

Sodexo serves more than 6,000 clients that include healthcare, government and corporate dining operations. The processor views its commitment to the humane treatment of animals as highly important, and considers this step an integral part of the progress the company is making toward sustainability in a range of areas, from the food it sources to the energy and facilities management services it provides.