There seems to be a bit of a movement at the moment regarding celebrities and free-range eggs. I’m not saying it’s not a serious issue, or one worth fighting for, but it does seem to be a strange preoccupation, particularly given all the MAJOR shit happening in the world around us. First Ryan Gosling came for Costco, and now Brad Pitt is joining the fight. He’s mad that the company is using caged hens, and decided to write an open letter to the company’s CEO, Craig Jelinek, to express his rage.
Here’s an excerpt from the letter (full thing can be read HERE):
“As you know, these birds producing eggs for your shelves are crammed five or more into cages that are not large enough for even one hen to spread her wings. In these cruel cages, the animals’ muscles and bones atrophy from years of immobilization. That’s why the cages are illegal in most of Europe, and why California banned the cages by an overwhelming vote years ago.”
In short, cramming hens into cages for their entire lives constitutes cruelty to animals, and animals deserve better. As you know, many major corporations, from Burger King to Unilever, are getting rid of cages — and Whole Foods hasn’t sold eggs from caged hens in years.
I admire Costco’s many positive social commitments. You’ve shown great courage and integrity on a range of issues. Won’t you please extend that sensibility — and basic decency —to chickens?
For people who aren’t all that concerned with the whole “basic decency” thing, Costco should also realize that eggs from free range chickens TASTE better, as well. Seriously, crack open a cheap egg from the grocery store and then crack one fresh from the farm, or an organic free-range egg, and you’ll see the difference right away in the yolk colour. Now, not everyone can afford $5 a dozen on eggs, so from a consumer perspective, our hands are tied. But it’s a supply and demand system. If free-range eggs become the norm, then the price to use them will go down, and that’ll be the standard offering. Come on!
Us po’ folk gotta eat too, Brad.
They should put liberal actors in cages. They are bad for humanity too.