Egg Farm Makes Massive Donation to Wildfire Victims

As consumers face skyrocketing egg prices and widespread shortages, a California farm is donating hundreds of thousands of fresh eggs to people affected by last month's devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The 100-year-old family-owned Rosemary Farm in Santa Maria said it's working with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the nonprofit Gather For Good to get some 270,000 eggs to residents who lost homes in the Eaton and Palisades fires, the AP reports. In addition, nearly 55,000 eggs will go to firefighters and other first responders, according to a statement from the farm.

Other eggs will be used by the LA bakery Winter Fate Bakes to make birthday cakes for displaced children. Egg prices reached a record high in the US last month, mostly as a result of a nationwide bird flu outbreak. When the virus is found on a farm, the entire flock is killed to limit its spread. Egg farmers also face higher costs for feed, fuel, and labor because of inflation. They are also investing more in biosecurity measures to try to protect their birds. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics reports released Wednesday, egg prices were up 15% month-on-month in January, adding to a jump in inflation, Bloomberg reports. The average price is up 55% from a year ago.

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