Farm Fresh or Commercial?

 

      The United States produces over 100 billion eggs annually.  The industry is dominated by large-scale operations in the Midwest, with Iowa being the leading state. Production data shows a slight decrease in total eggs in 2023 compared to the year before, alongside a decrease in the number of laying hens but an increase in productivity per hen.  After the recent bird flu and COVID scare the price has once again begun to settle down to more reasonable levels. 

      Obviously, most of the eggs are for human consumption with the remainder be used for fertilized hatching, used for producing more chickens.  This was seriously impacted in recent years due to HPAI resulting in depopulation of hens.  They are rebounding.  

      Everyone loves eggs, flavor, protein, and nutrition.  There is, however, a significant difference between the ordinary 'store bought' eggs and those raised and sold from farmers.  Farm-fresh eggs typically offer a fresher taste, brighter orange yolks, and a thicker egg white due to the hens' varied diets of insects and greens, while store-bought eggs often have lighter yellow yolks, less-firm whites, and may be significantly older before reaching the consumer. Farm-fresh eggs also have a natural protective coating (bloom), which allows them to be stored unwashed at room temperature for longer periods, whereas commercial eggs are washed and require refrigeration to maintain freshness. However, store-bought eggs are generally more affordable and convenient, and their nutritional content can vary based on the specific farming practices used.  

        Farm Fresh Eggs go from hen to table in hours, leading to peak freshness. Commercial eggs can be 30-60 days old before they even hit store shelves, according to scratchandpeck.com. 

      Farm Fresh can contain more vitamins (A, D, E) and omega-3 fatty acids, especially from pasture-raised hens with diverse diets.  Most farm fresh eggs are 'free range'.  While the nutritional content of commercial eggs can vary widely but may be lower in certain vitamins and fats compared to eggs from hens with access to varied diets. 

      Farm-Fresh can be stored unwashed at room temperature for weeks thanks to a natural protective coating called the "bloom".  Commercial are washed to remove the bloom, requiring refrigeration and having a shorter shelf life.  One note:  Farm Fresh eggs are not pasteurized so cooking should be thorough to ensure elimination of any harmful bacteria.  

      Commercial egg prices run from $4-6 depending on size.  We pay anywhere from $3-4.50 for local farm fresh eggs.  We experience various sizes and shell colors, but the flavor is delicious.  As we do travel 6 months of the year, we always look for the availability of farm fresh eggs wherever we can.  

"Love and eggs are best when they are fresh" 

Russian Proverb