News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. EGG FARMERS DONATE MORE THAN 12 MILLION EGGS

ATLANTA (March 3, 2008) -- America's egg farmers are giving the Easter Bunny a run for his money this year as they prepare to donate more than 12 million eggs during the month of March to help feed the nation's hungry. In coordination with America's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network, egg farmers from across the country will be delivering truck loads of fresh eggs to help local food banks meet the increasing demand for high-quality protein foods.

"Seeing the increasing need within their communities, the families of our industry came together to make sure America's food banks are well stocked with nutrient dense eggs for the holiday season," said Gene Gregory, president of the United Egg Producers.

With each egg containing 13 essential nutrients – including the highest quality protein, choline, folate, iron and zinc – for only 75 calories, the more than 12 million eggs donated comes at a time when food banks are struggling with low inventories, while facing a sharp increase in demand for emergency food.

“We are extremely grateful to America’s egg farmers for their significant donation of more than 12 million eggs to our food bank members across the nation,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network. “Protein is always the hardest food category for our food banks to acquire and a donation of this magnitude will go a long way in helping the more than 25 million Americans we serve who are living on the edge of hunger.”

About United Egg Producers
United Egg Producers (UEP) is the nation’s leading trade association for U.S. egg farmers, representing 97 percent of U.S. egg farmers, whose members produce eggs including modern cage production, cage-free, free range, organic and other specialty eggs. UEP is based in Alpharetta, GA. To learn more about the egg industry visit www.uepcertified.com.

About America's Second Harvest
America's Second Harvest — The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, America's Second Harvest annually provides assistance to more than 25 million people in need, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each year, America's Second Harvest secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of food and grocery products to support feeding programs at approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and Kids Cafes. To learn more, please visit www.secondharvest.org.