For the second year in a row, the area's biggest poultry farms have taken the state's network of emergency food pantries under their wing by donating 300,000 eggs.
Cliff Lillywhite, vice president of North Salt Lake-based Oakdell Egg Farms said the industry considers the gesture the least it can do, with requests for emergency food up by more than 30 percent from a year ago. And if the donation eggs on others to do what they can, then so much the better, he said after the first shipment arrived at the Utah Food Bank on Wednesday morning.
"Protein is absolutely necessary for people, and the best sources of protein are eggs," Lillywhite said. "Fresh food is the most needed and often in the shortest supply for people who don't have enough to eat. And the tougher the economy gets for people … well, it's what we can do, and it's just the right thing to do for a lot of reasons."
The eggs were to be on their way later Wednesday afternoon to the food bank's 230 emergency food pantries statewide, said Jim Pugh, executive director of Utah Food Bank Services.
Fresh food is problematic given the short shelf-life compared to canned goods and the inadequate refrigeration space at the distribution points.
"But those are problems we like to have, because it means families who are faced with paying bills or putting food on the table will not only get enough to eat, (but) a bigger portion of it is fresh," Pugh said. "We are very appreciative of this large donation, because eggs are highly sought after."
The egg donation is part of a nationwide effort that will distribute 11 million eggs, with at least one truckload going to each state.
"On behalf of each of the producers and farmers, who serve Utah and care about each of its citizens, we are privileged to offer our help and support for such a worthy cause, especially during the Easter holiday season," said Tony Fassio, co-owner of Fassio Farms.
With one in 10 Utahns living in poverty and with the state having the fourth-highest rate of food insecurity — the number of families who, at least one time per month, aren't sure where their next meal is coming from — the donations are especially welcome, Pugh said.
The egg donation kicks off a busy week for the food bank. The annual Scouting for Food drive is under way this week to help stock the shelves for pantries statewide. The Scouting effort is the main, off-holiday's food drive, because it helps replenish the stock that always dwindles in the spring and summer.
Cub scouts will deliver Scouting for Food bags to every Utah house this week. Bags will be picked up on Saturday, March 28.
In addition to the food drives, Chevron has announced it will give $10,000 to the food bank next Tuesday.
That check will go toward the food bank's $10 million capital campaign to complete the purchase of a building in Salt Lake's warehouse district, complete renovations there, buy new equipment and expand the bank's overall capacity to collect and distribute food.
For more information, call 801 978-2452 or visit www.utahfoodbank.org.