Choose Cage-Free campaign takes flight at Fanshawe College
550 students have signed petitions demanding cage-free eggs
Students and WSPA staff recently collected signatures for the Choose Cage-Free campaign at Fanshawe College. In just five hours, 550 students and staff signed petitions requesting that Fanshawe College switch to cage-free eggs instead of serving conventional eggs, which come from battery cages.
Many students were shocked when they saw the battery cage display that WSPA brought to Fanshawe. Wes Plunkett, a Police Foundations student who generously contributed two hours of his time to support the campaign, said, “I already knew that egg-laying hens were in cages but I hadn’t realized that the situation was so bad.”
Cathy Mitchell, a self-employed contractor who provides computer services to Fanshawe, said, “It is cruel to keep animals in little cages like that.”
Fanshawe’s Choose Cage-Free campaign is being led by student Ali Radomsky, who is Vice President of the Fanshawe Rotaract Club, a student group that volunteers in the community. The well-spoken student is eager for Fanshawe to start serving cage-free eggs because of her experience with small-scale farming.
Many Fanshawe students demonstrated an impressive level of knowledge of where our food comes from. Chris Stevens, who is working on a General Arts and Science certificate, described the treatment of animals on factory farms as “horrible.” He also realized the link between farming method and nutrition, stating, “We are not getting the same nutrition when we eat battery cage eggs.”
Stephanie Hutchinson, who is studying to become a social worker, once watched a film on battery cage hens, which showed her that this method of production is “gross.” Stevens and Hutchinson were both excited that a cage-free egg campaign had begun at Fanshawe.
Talal Bissar, Chartwells Food Service Director at Fanshawe College, expressed enthusiastic support for cage-free eggs. “It is great that we are focusing on the treatment of animals. The fact that hundreds of Fanshawe students signed petitions shows how many people are aware.” Chartwells/Compass Group Canada expresses official support for cage-free eggs in its comprehensive sustainability program, known as 360.
Fanshawe students and employees believe that the Choose Cage-Free campaign at Fanshawe will succeed. Talal Bissar promised to do his best to see that Fanshawe switches to cage-free eggs soon, adding, “We are promoting something great.” Nichole Rendon, a Police Foundations student who took petition forms with her to class, confidently stated that the chances of success are “pretty good.”
The Fanshawe College community also recognized that Fanshawe has the unique opportunity to lead the way in this important animal welfare reform. Brittani Facchini, a Business Marketing student, stated that “if Fanshawe switches to cage-free eggs, it would encourage others.” Sixteen schools in Canada have reduced or completely eliminated their use of eggs from caged hens, including several served by Chartwells.
Judging by the overwhelming interest shown for humane purchasing at Fanshawe College, WSPA is optimistic that the Choose Cage-Free campaign will be successful.
