Boston, April 18, 2025 – Fast food chain, Jack in the Box*, which has more than 2,000 locations across the United States, successfully met its interim target to source 25% of its pork from pigs raised in so-called “open pen gestation environments” rather than gestation crates, at the end of 2024. This benchmark, up from 0% at the end of 2023, is an important step toward the company’s goal to source 100% of its pork that way by 2026 as outlined in an agreement with Green Century° in 2023.
The use of gestation crates, which confine pregnant sows for weeks or months at a time, is controversial because it harms animals and can damage the reputations of companies with their customers. Gestation crates are so small that they don’t allow pregnant pigs to turn around. They harm the animals and are considered inhumane. The open pen gestation environments that Jack in the Box is transitioning to provide pigs with enhanced social opportunities, more freedom and space to move, and have been shown to improve their health and welfare.
“We are enthusiastic to see Jack in the Box’s progress on this issue that is of increasing customer and investor concern. Poor animal welfare practices in corporate supply chains present reputational risks for companies,” said Leslie Samuelrich, president of Green Century Funds. “The company’s commitment has raised animal welfare standards and helps establish a common practice among quick service restaurants around the U.S.”
According to a 2021 survey, 66% of Americans think that gestation crates are unacceptable. Ten U.S. states have passed laws restricting the use of gestation crates. The UK has banned their usage and the EU only allows them for the first four weeks of a sow’s pregnancy.
With its progress, Jack in the Box is catching up to its fast-food peers. Wendy’s completed its transition away from gestation crates in 2022, and McDonald’s and Burger King, both of which committed to phase out crates by 2024, were on track to do so as of their most recent updates.
Green Century will continue to maintain dialogue with Jack in the Box as the chain progresses toward its 2026 commitment.
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About Green Century Funds
°Green Century Capital Management, Inc. (Green Century) is the investment advisor to the Green Century Funds (The Funds). The Green Century Funds are one of the first families of fossil fuel-free, environmentally responsible mutual funds. Green Century hosts an award-winning and in-house shareholder advocacy program and is the only mutual fund company in the U.S. wholly owned by environmental and public health nonprofit organizations.
*As of March 31, 2025, Jack in the Box, Inc. comprised 0.00%, 0.002% and 0.00% of Green Century Balanced Fund, the Green Century Equity Fund, and the Green Century International Index Fund respectively. As of the same date, other securities mentioned were not held in the portfolios of any of the Green Century Funds. References to specific securities, which will change due to ongoing management of the Funds, should not be construed as a recommendation by the Funds, their administrator, or their distributor.
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