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The sunny side

The shift toward cage-free eggs over the last decade has quietly become a landmark victory for animal welfare. The percentage of cage-free hens rose from 4% in 2010 to 28% in 2020, and that number is expected to reach 70% in the next four years. This dramatic change comes as a result of voter initiatives to improve conditions as well as pressure from major fast-food chains and grocers. Egg producers were left with little choice, and the multibillion-dollar transition comes at a cost to the customer. After California made the mandatory switch to cage-free on Jan. 1 of this year, the price for a dozen eggs jumped 72 cents above the national average. But shoppers are willing to pay more for ethical treatment, and it’s even sparking a revolution in egg package design. (Hello, bougie eggs.)