Why the Kroger cage-free campaign has reached Dell in Dublin
Animal Equality’s Kroger cage-free campaign has stepped up its actions at Dell Technologies’ offices in Dublin, Ireland. The group is asking Dell to cut ties with Kevin Brown, a senior Dell executive who sits on Kroger’s board, as part of an international campaign urging Kroger to keep its cage-free egg commitment.
To bring its concerns and request directly to the company, Animal Equality representatives tried to hand-deliver a letter to Dell management at its Dublin offices before launching the campaign.
The letter, addressed to Mark Hopkins, General Manager at Dell Technologies Ireland, and the Office of the Board of Directors, asks the company to part ways with Brown for as long as he remains on the board of a company that keeps hens in cages.
Activists were rejected at company doors.
The letter states: “As a member of Kroger’s Board of Directors, Kevin Brown shares responsibility for overseeing the company and its failure to make meaningful progress on its cage-free commitment. His simultaneous position on Dell Technologies’ Board connects Dell to a significant animal welfare and corporate accountability issue at Kroger.”
After Dell refused to accept the formal letter and declined to engage with Animal Equality, activists began a protest in front of the Dell building, displaying banners about Kevin Brown’s role in Kroger’s broken commitment and the suffering of millions of caged hens.
During the action, an alleged Dell employee showed the middle finger to activists as they demonstrated peacefully. Many other employees from the tech company and neighboring businesses, however, were receptive to learning about the campaign and Kevin Brown’s role in Kroger’s broken cage-free commitment.
Kroger made a promise to the public and broke it. Kevin Brown sits on the board that made that decision, and he is one of Dell’s most senior executives. We came to Dell’s door today with a simple question: does Dell want to be represented by someone who shares responsibility for keeping millions of hens in cages?” – Ombretta Alessandrini, Campaigns manager at Animal Equality
Why is the Kroger cage-free campaign targeting Dell?
Animal Equality has maintained a sustained presence outside Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters since May, holding peaceful demonstrations, including direct action, to urge Kroger to meet its cage-free commitment.
The Dublin campaign brings Animal Equality’s U.S. campaign to Dell’s doorstep, with the focus on Kevin Brown, Dell’s global operations and supply chain leader and a Kroger board member.
When Kroger appointed Brown in 2021, it highlighted his expertise in sustainable business practices. He now sits on the board committee overseeing responsible sourcing. Animal Equality is calling on Brown to use that position to hold Kroger accountable for its promise to end cages for hens.
Dell has been a target of the campaign since May. Animal Equality has taken the Kroger cage-free campaign to Dell offices and events in Amsterdam, Austin, London, Milan, and Washington, D.C.
What was Kroger’s cage-free egg promise?
Kroger is the second-largest grocer in the United States. In 2016, the company pledged to sell only cage-free eggs by the end of 2025. In 2022, it scaled that commitment back to 70% cage-free by 2030 and still has no public plan to eliminate cages entirely. Millions of hens remain confined in wire cages too small for them to spread their wings.
Take action for hens confined in cages for Kroger’s eggs
Animal Equality will continue its campaign at Dell in Dublin and outside Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters until Kroger sits down and commits to a clear, time-bound plan to end cages for hens.
Kroger made a public promise to its customers. It is time to keep it.
Urge Dell Technologies to consider whether Mr. Brown’s leadership roles are consistent with Dell’s own expectations for responsible, accountable corporate leadership.
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