Eggs have nourished our ancestors for at least 6 million years.
Loaded with high-quality protein, fats, iron, vitamins, minerals and carotenoids, eggs present a dozen reasons to celebrate their impact, especially during National Egg Month in May.
Among almost 110 billion eggs produced in the U.S. annually, about 743 million are laid by Virginia hens, ranking the state at No. 24 in national egg production, according to the Virginia Egg Board’s 2022 Annual Report. The Virginia Poultry Federation noted annual per capita egg consumption among U.S. consumers increased from about 240 eggs in 1999 to 290 in 2019.
Vast grocery store options labeled free-range, pasture-raised or cage-free may mystify consumers as they compare prices.
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation reported most laying hens in the U.S. are housed in large, environmentally controlled houses. Cage-free layers, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are housed in indoor-only, controlled environments where hens can roam ...