Have you ever considered the treatment of animals we rely on for food? Our childhood image of large pastures with a red-and-white barn surrounded by happy, free-roaming animals could not be further from the truth.
Factory farming, where efficiency takes precedence over compassion, is the new reality, and our image is grossly incorrect, especially in regard to our treatment of egg-laying hens.
These hens, including those whose eggs Gator Dining Services uses in its dining operations, are confined to tiny wire "battery cages" without the ability to spread their wings, walk, perch or even stand on solid ground. After their beaks are burned off, they spend the remainder of their useful lives in cages with an allocated space of fewer than 70 square inches - about two-thirds the size of a standard sheet of paper, according to a Humane Society of the United States' Web site. These birds can barely turn around. Those not located in the top row of cages are perpetually showered by the feces of those confined above them.
World-renowned poultry scientist Dr. Ian Duncan has stated, "The lack of space in battery cages reduces welfare by preventing hens from adopting certain postures - such as an erect posture with the head raised - and performing particular behaviors, such as wing-flapping … Hens in battery cages are prevented from performing several natural behavior patterns … The biggest source of frustration is undoubtedly the lack of nesting opportunity."
Many university dining services, including those like ours that use Aramark, have switched to using only cage-free eggs in their facilities. Georgetown University, Stanford University and Dartmouth College are just a few examples. The corporate world has also adopted a compassionate position. The Google employees' cafeteria, Ben and Jerry's, Wolfgang Puck and Burger King have either completely switched or pledged to reduce their use of eggs from these cruel environments.
Consumer demand has also driven many grocery stores to carry cage-free options. Some, including Whole Foods and Wild Oats Marketplace, now refuse to sell any eggs from caged hens. Cities in Maryland and Florida have taken a position by passing resolutions condemning the confinement of hens in battery cages and urging citizens not to purchase eggs from caged hens.
I spoke with Gator Dining Services representatives about switching to cage-free eggs, and in October they administered a survey asking for student opinion. Gator Dining Services is deciding whether to switch to cage-free eggs but has openly stated that changes to its policies are driven by student demand.
Florida Gators have shown through their willingness to communicate to the university that socially and morally responsible practices are important to them, including the recent decision to use Fair Trade Coffee.
I hope our student body will continue to send a message to the university that compassion is a part of its core values and reducing suffering is a goal we all embrace. Gator Dining Services accepts opinions and feedback at the following Web address: http://www.bsd.ufl.edu/dining/feedback/feedback.asp.
Charles King is a graduate student studying law.
