On Feb. 5, Binghamton University Dining Services consulted with the Student Culinary Council (SCC) on a proposed policy change. In a nation-wide campaign, the Humane League is pressuring Sodexo to discontinue the use of battery-cage eggs. Here at Binghamton, Sodexo gave students the opportunity to express their thoughts. In the coming weeks, we hope that BU Dining Services sets a positive example and makes the switch to cage-free eggs.
This may seem like a small change, but it could make a big difference. While battery-cage eggs cost less, they’re produced under exceedingly cruel conditions. To put it in perspective: Battery cages are outlawed all across the European Union as of Jan. 1, 2013 and are condemned by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production as well as every animal protection group in the world. The size of cages ranges somewhere between 67- and 76-square inches, which is narrower than the wingspan of one hen. Three or more hens are crammed into these cages. Such an environment disrupts natural bodily functions — bones and spinal cords deteriorate, feathers and skin are rubbed to rawness. The cramped conditions drive the hens to such stress that, were their beaks not cut off, they would peck each other to death.
Battery cages remain the industry standard in the United States — excepting California, which banned them, gestation crates for pregnant pigs and veal crates this year.
Not every student necessarily cares very much about animal cruelty. Many believe that cage-free eggs taste better because the chickens who lay them are less terrorized. The stress chickens feel from living in a cramped cage causes high cortisol levels in the eggs, which in turn makes the eggs taste less savory. Battery-cage eggs also don’t have the nutrition of cage-free eggs, with lower levels of Omega-3s, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and higher levels of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Critics note that the change to cage-free will raise dining prices. Animal abuse aside, the institution of a marginal price increase is worth it. Eggs are cheap in the first place, and cage-free eggs are not considerably more expensive. Disagree with us? Voice your opinion at the SCC meeting on Feb. 19. Sodexo has given us the unique opportunity to speak up and determine for ourselves if we are willing to pay the price for a breakfast with a conscience.
Of course it’s easy to sit in an office and decree that the University should make the switch from cheaper eggs to more expensive ones. At a public institution like ours, every incremental price change affects the students, and more specifically, it affects the most economically disadvantaged students. We are sensitive to this fact, and no endeavor that increases the cost of a college education should be undertaken lightly or without serious consideration. Yet, we believe the price is worth it. We are a major consumer of eggs, and once we switch to all cage-free omelets, we can provide an example for other schools to follow suit. This is the way to effect change. As more and more institutions demand healthier, and more humane food, the market will adjust accordingly.
If we continue to hold ourselves out to be a premier public university on the cusp of national recognition, we must be at the forefront of change.