SAN FRANCISCO — The happy egg co., the fastest growing free-range egg brand delivering the highest standards of hen welfare, today announced its 2015 business milestones. From retail expansion to enhanced product offerings, the happy egg co.'s distribution has grown by 62.5 per percent becoming the fastest growing and most widely carried free range egg brand in the country and will continue its growth momentum in 2016 by doubling its egg production. Since its launch in October 2012, the happy egg co. has surpassed a brand value of $30 million in just three years.
"The ever-evolving thirst for knowledge on the part of our consumers is something that we take first and foremost at the happy egg co.," said Jenni Danby, chief marketing officer at the happy egg co. "Our mission starts with educating consumers and retailers alike on the supremacy of gold standard-humane products, and being transparent on how happy our hens truly live. As we continue our growth and expansion into 2016 and the years ahead, we will continue to listen to our consumers, hear their demands and keep addressing their needs. We're looking forward to a very prosperous year ahead."
Impacted areas of growth for the San Francisco-headquartered egg provider in 2015 include:
-
Recognized as the Gold Standard in Humane Treatment of Farm Animals
To kick off 2015, the happy egg co. is the first commercial free range egg producer in the U.S. to be granted certification from American Humane Association, the country's first national humane organization, in the category "Layer Hens: Free-Range and Pasture-raised." In order to qualify as an American Humane Certified™ "Layer Hens: Free-Range and Pasture-Raised" producer, the happy egg co. was required to meet the program's rigorous space, treatment and science-based standards, demonstrating a shared belief that these standards do more to support hen welfare and are appropriate to claim true free-range production. -
National Retail Distribution and Expansion
The specialty egg industry has shifted significantly in 2015, and the happy egg co. is at the forefront. The happy egg co. delivered an aggressive growth trajectory, increased retail distribution by 62.5 percent, growing its retail partners from 4,000 stores to 6,500 stores, gaining coast to coast distribution in major U.S. retailers including Walmart, Costco, Target, Food Lion, Kroger, Safeway, Meijer, Shoprite, A&P, Albertsons, as well as many regional retailers. Consumers are demanding humanely produced animal products, and retailers, small and large, are responding by working with the happy egg co. to make humanely eggs accessible to consumers at an affordable price. -
Enhancing Product Offerings
The happy egg co. continued its explosive growth trajectory by expanding production into organic farms, launching its free range organic line exclusively in select California retail locations including Costco, Gelson's and Bristol Farms. The move into the organic market put the happy egg co. in the unique position of providing consumers with affordable, organic true free range eggs from hens that are again treated with the highest levels of humane care and fed organic, non-GMO feed. To cement its foothold in gold-standard high humane egg production, the happy egg co.'s organic free range eggs are certified by Quality Assurance International and complement the happy egg co.'s established 12- and 6- pack carton offering. -
Growing Flock Size and Farm Operations
To meet the increasing supply and demand of the specialty egg industry, the happy egg co. increased its flock size and farming community to support its immense growth, now operating 20 farms with 16,000 hens per farm, and four organic farms. Each farm is built to humane farming specifications unique to the happy egg co. A happy egg co. free range farm is an expansive eight acres of pasture – the equivalent size of six football fields with 21.8 sq. ft. of space per hen. -
Sustainable Humane Production Model
The happy egg co. farming model is transformative, providing a sustainable solution for the entire egg industry. This production model operates responsible farming practices, leading to improved production standards and higher animal welfare which in turn delivers increased returns for farmers, greater investment in innovation, improved food quality and continuous advancement for the egg industry.
For more information about the happy egg co., please visit www.thehappyeggco.com
About the happy egg co.
The happy egg co. operates under the highest standards of hen welfare and egg processing as the only free-range egg brand certified by the American Humane Association. The happy egg co. hens enjoy the freedom of the outdoors, spending each of their days under the sun, frolicking through acres of open space, socializing and flapping their wings. With access to more than eight acres of open pasture and nutritional feed and care from expert family farmers under the direction of Andrew Joret, the International Egg Commission's 2013 "International Egg Person of the Year," the hens are able to exhibit their natural behaviors and live more contended lives. The happy egg co. won Best New Egg in the 2014 Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Awards.
Source: The happy egg co.
