Update: Trader Joe's still defending battery cage eggs

Have a Trader Joes in your area? I know you Portlanders do. Well, get on them then. They don't have to support "battery cage hens." Options exist and they should be supported.

From: Humane Society of the United States petitionforpoultry@hsus.org

Many consumers are in the dark about how most egg-laying hens are
treated—but as the word gets out, there is a growing cry to free these
birds from the cruel "battery cages" where millions of them spend their
lives.
As you may know, The Humane Society of the United States is working to
persuade the grocery store chain Trader Joe's to sell only cage-free
eggs, and tens of thousands of people have already asked the chain for a
change of policy. Unfortunately, unlike their competitors Whole Foods
Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplaces, Trader Joe's continues to sell
eggs from hens crammed into overcrowded cages. Each of these birds is
allotted only 67 square inches—far less space than a sheet of
letter-sized paper.
Please take action now by asking Trader Joe's to end its sales of one of
the most abusive products of modern factory farming.
For months, The HSUS has attempted to discuss the issue with Trader
Joe's, but the company has refused even to meet with us, choosing instead
to post defensive and misleading messages about the issue on its web
site.

The company has defended battery cages by stating that it only buys
so-called "Animal Care Certified" eggs. But the Better Business Bureau
ruled that the marketing of this voluntary industry program is misleading
because it implied humane care. And just last week, the United Egg
Producers, the trade group behind the logo, dropped the bogus "Animal
Care" language at the urging of the Federal Trade Commission.
Today, we placed the full-page ad shown at right in the Los Angeles
Times. Designed to reach company officials at their California
headquarters, the ad graphically shows readers the meager amount of space
"Animal Care Certified" hens live in, and encourages readers to ask
Trader Joe's to change its policy.
And that's why I'm writing to you today—to update you on our campaign and
to ask you to take two actions to help the hens suffering in battery
cages:

1. Ask Trader Joe's for a cage-free egg policy
Trader Joe's needs to hear that its customers don't want the company to
continue supporting battery-cage cruelty. Please send a letter to Trader
Joe's at the address below, and click here for more ways to help.
Dan Bane, Chairman and CEO
Trader Joe's Company, Inc.
800 S. Shamrock Ave.
Monrovia, CA 91016

2. Spread the word
If you live near a Trader Joe's store, please join the hundreds of
committed animal advocates who are handing out our new "Why Won't Trader
Joe's Give an Inch?" brochures near stores. Request 50 free brochures to
distribute, and we'll get them out to you right away.
Email: petitionforpoultry@hsus.org

Thank you for all you do on behalf of laying hens and other animals.
Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States