- Eggs are increasing, straining the ability of many food banks to meet the demand for low -income family.
- The last spread of bird flu has reduced the availability of eggs.
- Many food banks have run cheaper proteins, such as canned meat and peanut butter.
Krystal Kabela has received frequent phone calls at the Iowa Eastern Food Bank she manages: People are looking for eggs.
“People know the eggs come on Friday, so it makes them Friday afternoon and Saturdays really busy days,” she told Business Insider.
Eggs are increasing, disappointing buyers and budget extension for small businesses that rely on them. As the eggs see their largest monthly price in a decade, some net security organizations – like the community Crisis services, where Kabela works – are trying to keep their shelves equipped. This is because millions of low -income Americans rely on food banks as a free addition to traditional grocery stores.
Kabela said its organization serves about 1,000 families a week at home, and at least 100 other families through its mobile service. The number of egg donations has been reduced in the past two years, she said. Now, 450 dozen eggs that can reserve each week barely last several days.
“Everyone loves them,” she said.
Some food banks have stopped buying eggs while prices prices
Eggs are One of the most accessible and affordable forms of protein, especially for low -income Americans. However, the last spread of bird flu has reduced egg availability. A high egg demand, especially for seasonal baking, also means that prices are not likely to go down at any time soon.
US egg prices increased by 15.2% from December to January, the largest increase in the month over the month from June 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average pricing of a dozen class a large egg hit a comprehensive high time, with $ 4.95 in dozen. And, egg prices contributed to increased inflation to 3% from year to year in January – contributing to the largest food bills for buyers.
This has a major impact on food banks, which about 50 million Americans relied in 2023 for at least some of their foods, for the Network Banking Network that feed America.
The food banks with which they spoke to say that they reserve their shelves with a combination of food they buy through grants or financial donations and items given directly by community members or suppliers. Eggs are rarely donated and almost always have to be purchased, organizations said.
City Harvest, who provides food for New York City Kitchens and Food Banks, told BI that he recently stopped all egg purchases due to increased costs. The Director of Inventory Procurement and Control Max Hoffman said the city harvest was directed to reserve less expensive protein resources such as peanut butter and soil beef.
Similarly, Kate MacDonald – Director of Communications at Rhode Island Community Food Bank – BI told a statement that its organization has not been able to buy eggs since December. The food bank is a central distribution center for a network of 147 smaller pants and meals across the state, she said.
In June 2024, MacDonald said one case of several dozen eggs was $ 16.50 for the purchase of the food bank. In October, it was up to $ 48. And, in December, she said the cost of the occasion was highlighted at $ 61.50.
“We will certainly not have eggs on the shopping list for our agencies until the cost discounts some,” MacDonald said.
Although Kabela said her Iowa food bank still reserves eggs every week, it is becoming more difficult to meet the demand. She said the farm on which the bank is supported to provide eggs has mainly stopped donation because the bird flu is shrinking supply
Cable added that egg deficiency is particularly challenging for food bank clients because they are so versatile. Protein is essential for muscle and brain function. While one single egg has six grams of protein – compared to about 30 grams for four chicken ounces – they are among the only sources of protein that double as a healthy alternative of meat and baking ingredients.
“We always have stable proteins from the shelf, whether canned tone, chicken or salmon or peanut butter,” she said. “But I don’t know that nothing really takes the place of the eggs.”
Food uncertainty is increasing
The problem of egg affection that includes America underlines an ongoing issue for food banks: the costs of food items are increasing, and national hunger levels are not improving.
About one in seven American families – or 47 million people – lived in an unsafe food family in 2023, the latest data available, found Feeding America. The national rate of food insecurity that year increased by 38% during 2021.
Food banks also play a specific role in combating food insecurity. Social security programs like SNAP are usually limited to families living in or below the federal poverty limit, which is $ 32,150 a year for a family of four. Local food banks and pants are often the only source of food aid for low -income Americans who do not qualify for SNAP.
Not every food bank is experiencing the same impact of rising food prices. Western Massachusetts Food Bank told BI that it has not yet experienced a break in stock or an increase in prices from its egg supplier.
However, Kabela said she continues to see an important belief – and grow – in food banks in her community. Increasing costs, like egg price, make it more difficult for organizations like it to meet the demand.
“There are so many people in need,” she said.
Are you open to sharing how your food budget with us? If so you can allisonkelly@businsinsider.com.