Michigan Allied Poultry Industries (MAPI) announced Tuesday that its member egg farms donated more than three million eggs to food pantries, ministries, food drive events and families in need during 2020, for a total of 251,855 dozen, or 3,022,260 eggs donated.
Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan’s family egg farms continued to help local organizations during a time of increased need, donating eggs as well as selling them at a greatly reduced cost to nonprofits and food pantries.
“Michigan’s family egg farms are incredibly generous and continue to be invested in their communities, making sure as many people as possible have access to healthy, local protein,” MAPI Executive Director Allison Brink. “Nutritious foods like eggs are especially important in times of crisis, when budgets and food supplies can decrease.”
MAPI member farms that contributed to the total donation amount include DeWeerdt Poultry Farm, Farm Crest Foods, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Schipper Eggs, Sunrise Acres Egg Farm, VandeBunte Eggs and Zoet Poultry. Donations are going to nonprofits across the state, including Holland Rescue Mission, Hungry For Christ, People Helping People, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Feeding America West Michigan, Flat River Outreach Ministries and other local food pantries and nonprofits across the state, from the Thumb area to Chicago.
Michigan is sixth in the nation for egg production, producing 4.3 billion eggs every year. The eight family-owned farms are predominantly located in West Michigan and account for 15 million egg-laying hens.
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.
Source: Michigan Allied Poultry Industries news release
