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Local, affordable, pasture-raised eggs still available, but supply may be tightening
The South Loop Sunday farmers market in downtown Chicago's Water Tower Place shopping mall continues to be a big hit. I went back yesterday (February 23) after a couple of weeks off, and the 4th floor space was still packed as I and my psychedelic rolling backpack patiently navigated.
Eggs, as I'm sure most of you know, are in shortage (scarcer than hen's teeth?) at many supermarkets because of the avian flu crisis. But the nice folks at Hebron Farms (Vandalia, Michigan) had lots of dozens — both large and jumbo.
These super-tasty beauties, laid by pasture-raised chickens, were less expensive than many of factory-farmed commercial eggs at grocery stores (if they're even available). The latest average price of a dozen eggs, according to the USDA's Egg Markets Overview, is $8.03.
The not-so-good news: While our local farmers are working as hard as they can to keep supplies up, the heightened consumer demand is having an impact. One vendor from whom I'd been buying eggs has run out for now, and they say they probably won't be restocking until spring (summer is peak egg-laying time; winter not so much).
So if you find a farm selling eggs, please don't hoard. And especially please remember the farmers who, as during COVID, were there for you when the commercial supply chain faltered. They always need your business, not just when the chips are down.
My market haul: from Hebron Farms, a cabbage, eggs, onions and Evercrisp apples; from Bennett Farms (Edwardsburg, Michigan), two pasture-raised half chickens and some of their delicious ham slices; from River Valley Ranch (Burlington, Wisconsin), a pound of white mushrooms; and in the middle, three baked doughnuts from my friends at Daly's Donuts (Chicago).
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