Fresh Thyme changing its egg supply policies

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a Midwest specialty grocer with locations in Beavercreek and Sugarcreek Twp., will transition to a 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain by 2022.

The company said in a statement that this is one more step in the company’s commitment to improving its supply chain while maintaining affordable prices.

Fresh Thyme has offered customers the option of buying cage-free eggs since its inception in 2014 and will continue to work with farmers as it moves to a total cage-free egg supply.

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“Our customers and associates count on Fresh Thyme to deliver on affordability and quality, while at the same time offering transparency into how their food is grown and raised,” said Simon Cutts, director of grocery at Fresh Thyme, in a statement.“We’re committing to transition our egg supply over to cage-free simply because it is the right thing to do.”

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The brand’s cage-free goal includes:

• Transition to a 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain, based on affordability, available supply, and customer demand by 2022.

• Challenge suppliers to use selective breeding practices, innovation and best management practices to improve the health and welfare of the laying hens.

• Require 100 percent of egg suppliers to be certified and fully compliant with United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines or an equivalent standard, and to monitor compliance annually through a third party.

Fresh Thyme opened 20 news stores and hired more than 2,000 employees in the Midwest during 2016 — and the grocery retailer plans to add even more locations this year.

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