A family farm in California is donating more than 300,000 fresh eggs to those affected by last month’s wildfires in Los Angeles, as well as to rescue workers.
Located in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, Rosemary Farm announced on its official website that it is collaborating with food banks in the Los Angeles area and other organizations in California to donate approximately 270,000 eggs to community members throughout the month of February.
Moreover, the century-old family business had previously committed to donating 54,000 eggs to several organizations in January and February. These eggs will be used to prepare meals for frontline rescue workers, schools, government officials, and community members in the Los Angeles area.
Some of the eggs will also be sent to Winter Fate Bakes in Los Angeles to make birthday cakes for displaced children, making their birthdays “extra special.”
This act of generosity by the farm comes at a time when egg prices across the United States are soaring, partly due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza. This virus has led farmers to cull millions of chickens, resulting in an egg shortage, prompting many stores across the US to implement purchase limits.
Against the backdrop of high inflation, egg farmers are also facing rising costs of feed, fuel, and labor, while investing more in biosecurity to protect their poultry.
As a result, egg prices have doubled since the summer of 2023. In December of last year, the average price of a dozen eggs in the US reached $4.15, although it has not yet reached the record $4.82 set two years ago.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated last week that due to the ongoing avian influenza epidemic, egg prices are expected to rise by another 20.3% this year.
Tracy Ramsdell, a representative of Rosemary Farm, said, “Our community now more than ever needs fresh, nutritious food. We hope to not only provide donations to food distribution organizations but also support those brave men and women frontline rescue workers fighting the devastating wildfires. This is our way of supporting families in need and all frontline rescue workers who work tirelessly to protect them.”
According to data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the wildfires that broke out in January in Los Angeles claimed at least 29 lives. Fueled by drought and strong winds, the wildfires burned approximately 57,660 acres of land and destroyed 16,249 structures.
Currently, officials are working to determine the cause of the fires.