Egg Recall is an Opportunity
I know the egg recall is scary. There have been some very sick people out there. Salmonella is nothing to toy with. That being said we have a tremendous opportunity here.
The eggs came from two primary suppliers. I say suppliers and not “farmers” because they aren’t. These are the factory farms discussed in Food, Inc. and Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals. These “layers” are overcrowded, kept in pens stacked several high, and doped up with anti-biotics to keep infections and disease (like salmonella) down.
Local farmers are reporting a run on their eggs. They have raised their hens responsibly and salmonella isn’t a problem on the “old school” farms. This is a great opportunity for people to learn the difference between a factory farm egg and a farm-raised egg. The shells are thicker, the flavor is richer, the yolks are different colors. Pasture-raised eggs. in my opinion, taste a whole lot better.
Did the egg scare make you think?
If you’d like to change the world, you can. It can start with a simple question the next time you’re in the grocery store. Ask the grocery clerk where the local, pasture-raised eggs are. So simple, but so revolutionary …
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Lisa, great post on changing our thinking from fear to an opportunity with this latest food scare. We’ve been considering switching to local produce and eggs for quite some time. This warning amongst all of the others out there just accelerated it for us. We went to our farmer’s market this weekend and picked up a dozen farm-fresh eggs and I am so excited to see how they turn out. I’ve heard nothing but good about them. It really is a good feeling to know where your food comes from, how it’s been grown and raised and actually get to know the people who have produced it.
Mary, thanks so much for the comment. I hope you enjoy your eggs! Just one little tip. The non-factory farm eggs tend to be a little bit smaller, sometimes you need to compensate in the recipe by adding a little more moisture. Follow the directions per usual and then see if you need to add any more. If the recipe calls for milk, maybe add a bit more milk, or water. Just an FYI.
Yep. It made me think alright. I’ve been buying my eggs from costco until a friend of mines chickens are ready to lay eggs. Even though they’re cage free and organic, I’m sure they’re still not allowed to be range free and scratching for bugs etc like they’re supposed to. Time to hit the local farmers market this sat and see what other options are available.
Deb, I’m glad, we’ve definitely got a bit of an opportunity here to convert a few people over to healthier living. I’ll take anyone I can get! L–
Thanks for the great post on the recent egg recall. It’s timely and important.
The distinction you made between “suppliers” and “farmers” is spot on. You were, in fact, kind calling the people who raise chickens in the way they do “suppliers.” I have heard much more brash and derogatory words used to describe their “closed-meat-matrix” systems of production. They view the chicken as a commodity that has no spark of life, when in fact, like Henry Beston said of all animals
“they are not brethren, they are not underlings;
they are other nations, caught with ourselves in
the net of life and time.”
A lot of true-food farmers understand this and have models that allow the chicken to exult in its chicken-ness; allow the chicken to truly be the chicken. The chicken, in turn, thanks with nutritionally dense eggs that are like medicine. It’s Beautiful.
Thanks, Lisa, for your superb site and if you ever are in need of a guest blogger, I would consider it an honor. Keep up the great work.
Cheers,
Jason Cote
Great post, with the number of eggs bodybuilders and other fitness enthusisasts chug cown their throats daily something is bound to happen.
Ana