America's Egg Farmers Donate Nearly Half A Million Eggs For Easter Holiday

ALPHARETTA, Ga., April 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Egg farmers across the country are helping in the fight against hunger by donating nearly half a million fresh eggs to food assistance organizations coast-to-coast during the month of April.

According to Feeding America, one in six Americans is faced with hunger and can't afford to buy groceries. Members of the United Egg Producers (UEP) are contributing to food banks all across America to ease the struggle of putting food on the table during the Easter holiday. UEP is encouraging other companies and individuals to join the fight against hunger and support the 49 million Americans who live in food insecure homes, 15.9 million of which are children.

Sources of high quality protein like fresh eggs are among the most needed items at food assistance organizations. USDA claims that one large egg delivers six grams of protein and 13 essential nutrients such as choline, folate, iron and zinc. Additionally, the USDA concluded in 2011 that the average amount of cholesterol was 14 percent lower and vitamin D content was 64 percent higher than previously thought.

"Our generous farmers donate fresh eggs to their local food assistance organizations year-round," stated Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. "We come together during the Easter season to give a little extra and make fresh eggs available to food insecure families across the country."  

This marks the seventh consecutive Easter season the United Egg Producers have organized a nationwide effort to give food insecure families a helping hand, bringing the total number of fresh eggs donated by U.S. egg farmers since 2008 to nearly 70 million.

About United Egg Producers
United Egg Producers (UEP) is the nation's leading trade association for U.S. egg farmers, representing about 90 percent of U.S. egg production. UEP members produce eggs using various systems including conventional cage production, enriched cages, cage-free, free range, organic and other specialty eggs. For more information, visit www.uepcertified.com. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/UEPCertified or follow our updates on Twitter at @UEPCertified.

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SOURCE United Egg Producers