Emily Raap
DC community members unite to hold corporations accountable for pledges to animals.
When Giant Food promised to eliminate cruel cages from its egg supply chain by 2025, DC residents took note. Now, as that deadline arrives with no follow-through, community members are speaking up for animals.
This winter, concerned customers gathered outside Giant Food in the DC area, calling on the corporation to honor its commitment to spare hens from confinement in battery cages. These wire cages are so small that hens can’t even spread their wings, forcing them to live in constant distress.
Local resident Semhar Mengisteab recently highlighted this issue, not only taking powerful photographs of the protest, but also emphasizing how Giant’s inaction affects both animals and public health. “As a customer, I want to trust that the food I'm buying is safe for my family,” Mengisteab writes, pointing to USDA data showing that 74% of birds lost to avian flu this year came from caged egg operations.
A protest on February 22 at Giant Food’s Columbia Heights location—1345 Park Rd NW in DC—followed on the heels of a January 25 protest. Giant Food is headquartered directly outside of DC, in Hyattsville, MD, and these protests put a spotlight on the corporation’s responsibility to meet community expectations for ethical business practices.
“Other major brands like McDonald’s and Amazon have already made the switch—why is Giant Food falling behind?” Mengisteab asks, echoing the frustration of many local customers who expected better from their neighborhood grocery store.
The message from DC residents is clear: corporations must be held accountable for their promises to animals. As customers continue to raise their voices, Giant Food faces a critical choice—honor its commitment to animals and public safety, or risk losing the trust of the community it serves.
Join local advocates in calling on Giant Food to fulfill its cage-free commitment.
