Egg-ceptional: Twinkies and Hostess Brands to Switch to Cage-Free Eggs
Classic Hostess brands agree to use cage-free eggs after Green Century engagement.
Contact Information:
Pam Podger, Communications Director, ppodger@greencentury.com, 802-299-9495
Douglass Guernsey, Shareholder Advocate, dguernsey@greencentury.com, 617-747-4447
(BOSTON) J. M. Smucker Co* announced that its Hostess brand, which includes iconic snack products like Twinkies, Snowballs and CupCakes, will be switching completely to direct purchases of cage-free eggs by 2028. J. M. Smucker achieved a 100% cage-free egg supply before acquiring the Hostess brand in 2023. Hostess previously did not use cage-free eggs.
J. M. Smucker Co made the commitment after signing an agreement with Green Century.
“Bringing cage-free eggs to an iconic American brand like Hostess means happier hens and healthier snacks,” said Leslie Samuelrich, president of Green Century Funds. “We admire Smucker’s commitment, proving that big brands play a key role in building a more ethical food industry.”
Smucker’s provided a glidepath towards reaching its cage-free egg goal and will transparently report on its progress annually in its sustainability report.
Green Century’s advocacy promotes animal welfare
Green Century has taken a leading role in promoting animal welfare at major brands advocating for healthy and humane conditions for animals. Carl Icahn nominated Samuelrich in 2022 for the board of McDonald’s after the company backed away from its gestation crate-free pork pledge. Green Century also recently filed a shareholder resolution at Darden, parent company of Olive Garden, asking the company to commit to removing gestation crates from its supply chain.
“Growing visibility into supply chains means that animal welfare can no longer be ‘out of sight, out of mind’,” said Douglass Guernsey, shareholder advocate. “Consumers will continue to learn about – and demand – better treatment for animals in agriculture.”
A sustainable investment strategy that incorporates environmental, social and governance criteria may result in lower or higher returns than an investment strategy that does not include such criteria.
About Green Century
°Green Century Capital Management, Inc. (Green Century) is the investment advisor to the Green Century Funds (The Funds). The Green Century Funds are one of the first families of fossil fuel-free, environmentally responsible mutual funds. Green Century hosts an award-winning and in-house shareholder advocacy program and is the only mutual fund company in the U.S. wholly owned by environmental and public health nonprofit organizations.
*As of 3.31.2024, JM Smucker Company (The) comprised 0.00%, 0.06%, and 0.00% of Green Century Balanced Fund, the Green Century Equity Fund, and the Green Century International Index Fund, respectively. As of the same date, other securities mentioned were not held in the portfolios of any of the Green Century Funds. References to specific securities, which will change due to ongoing management of the Funds, should not be construed as a recommendation by the Funds, their administrator, or their distributor.
You should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. To obtain a Prospectus that contains this and other information about the Funds please visit www.greencentury.com, email info@greencentury.com, or call 1-800-934-7336. Please read the Prospectus carefully before investing.
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This information has been prepared from sources believed reliable. The views expressed are as the date of this writing and are those of the Advisor to the Funds.
The Green Century Funds are distributed by UMB Distribution Services, LLC. 235 W Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. UMB Distribution Services, LLC is not an affiliate of Green Century or any of its affiliates. 4/2024
