Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE 8/13/18


The Kroger Co. has announced plans to source pork only from producers who do not use sow gestation stalls.

The nation’s largest supermarket chain specified in its recent sustainability report that it aims to buy 100 percent of its pork from producers using group housing or free-range methods by 2025.

The move comes six years after Kroger urged its pork suppliers to speed up their transition away from using gestation stalls, but at that point did not set a timeline. 

Kroger said many of its suppliers have already made the transition or at least have time-bound commitments to do so.

“We recognize that sows in the pork industry may experience negative health and behavioral impacts when housed in gestation stalls (also known as gestation crates) during pregnancy, and that group housing is a viable alternative,” the company said in the recent report.

Kroger’s move follows pressure from animal activist groups, including World Animal Protection. That group launched a petition in May that was signed by 72,000 supporters.

"We are glad that Kroger has listened to the public and made this industry leading commitment to improve the lives of pigs," said Alesia Soltanpanah, U.S. Executive Director of World Animal Protection, in a news release. 

Cincinnati-based Kroger operates 2,779 grocery stores in 35 states under nearly 24 banners.

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