I recently read the New York Times’ recent exposé on Costco’s chicken supply chain and watched the accompanying video. As both a Costco member and a resident of Washington near Costco’s HQ, I’m heartbroken and appalled by the deluge of horrors Costco inflicts onto the millions of chickens who end up on its shelves. These chickens have bodies that grow so large and fast that they can’t be supported by their own legs, forcing them sit and endure chemical burns caused by their own piling feces. They live their entire lives without ever seeing the light of day and often suffer catastrophic organ failure because the industrial machine that brought them into existence values monetary efficiency over their well-being. And these chickens were effectively bred to suffer—100,000,000 of them a year under Costco’s purview. While Costco is famous for its $5 rotisserie chicken, the real cost of each of those chickens far exceeds the price tag—we’re just not the ones who pay it. 

Costco has an unprecedented opportunity to directly and dramatically improve the lives of hundreds of millions of birds. I’m calling on Costco to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment, the new standard for chicken welfare across the industry. This standard, already adopted by over 200 food companies, eliminates many of the worst abuses chickens face in supply chains just like Costco’s.

In Costco’s own words, “If you are ever in doubt as to what course of action to take on a business matter that is open to varying ethical interpretations, TAKE THE HIGH ROAD AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.” Now is your chance, Costco. Adopt the Better Chicken Commitment. 

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