Michigan Allied Poultry Industry member farms donated more than five million eggs to food pantries, ministries, food drives and families in need in 2018, for a grand total of 419,350 dozen eggs.
“Michigan’s family-owned egg farms are a part of our west Michigan and mid-Michigan communities, and it’s important to them to give back,” MAPI Executive Director Allison Brink says. “Michiganders are fortunate to live in a state with access to nutritious local food like eggs, which are a staple of a healthy and balanced diet. Our farms want to make sure that we’re extending that access to as many people as possible.”
MAPI member farms that contributed to the donation include DeWeerdt Poultry Farm, Farm Crest Foods, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Schipper Eggs, Sunrise Acres Egg Farm, VandeBunte Eggs and Zoet Poultry.
“As a local farmer and egg producer, we are invested in our community and feel it is important to use the farm’s resources to support those in need,” says Steve DeWeerdt of DeWeerdt Poultry Farm. “The Hamilton and Holland communities have helped support us for three generations, and we consider it a privilege to give back through organizations like Hungry for Christ.”
Michigan ranks sixth in the nation for egg production. The egg industry has a total of $625 million in economic impact in the state, producing 3,846 million eggs in Michigan every year.
“It means the world to our partners to know they can get fresh eggs from us nearly every week to help feed their families,” says Tracy Brower, director of Hungry for Christ, a ministry and food pantry serving residents in west Michigan that receives egg donations from DeWeerdt Poultry Farm and Schipper Eggs. “Protein items are an essential part of a healthy diet,” she says. “We’re blessed to provide healthy local eggs, meeting the needs of families in our communities.”
“As a local farmer and egg producer, we are invested in our community and feel it is important to use the farm’s resources to support those in need,” says Steve DeWeerdt of DeWeerdt Poultry Farm. “The Hamilton and Holland communities have helped support us for three generations, and we consider it a privilege to give back through organizations like Hungry for Christ.”
Brink says eggs provide the most grams of protein per dollar spent, at 55 grams per dollar. Packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals for only 70 calories per egg, they also contain lutein and zeaxanthin — antioxidants that help prevent macular degeneration — as well as choline, an essential nutrient that contributes to fetal brain development and adult brain function, she adds.
