The announcement comes as the new Dietary Guidelines place eggs at the top of the protein pyramid and the FDA's Healthy Food designation confirms what farmers and nutritionists have long known: eggs are an inherently healthy food that supports overall health and lifelong wellbeing.
"America's egg farmers are proud of the eggs we produce, and we are grateful to Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for their support of real food and America's farmers," said Andrew Seger, chairman of the American Egg Board and chief financial officer of Wabash Valley Foods. "We want to support our children in having a protein-packed breakfast that fuels them all day and promotes their brain development. Eggs are the solution — and we are putting our money where our mission is."
"This is a perfect opportunity to highlight what an incredible source of protein eggs are for American families, especially as we're rewriting what it means to eat real food and make America healthy again," said Secretary Rollins. "Eggs are as real as food gets — farm-fresh, completely natural, minimally processed and a source of eight essential nutrients. In the new Dietary Guidelines, eggs are listed first among the recommended proteins, and that's a big deal."
"We have flipped the food pyramid and eggs are up top," said Secretary Kennedy. "Eggs are a wonderful, clean source of protein. They help kids with focus, brain development, eye health, and two eggs are cheaper than the donut kids get in schools. This is a wonderful source of American-made protein for the American table and we are very, very proud to be part of this effort."
"With the food pyramid, we started asking common-sense questions like, 'Can we get more high-protein, whole foods into government procurement programs such as school lunches and military meals?'" said Means. "Right now, it's true that children are not getting whole-food, high-protein breakfasts. Hard-boiled eggs and innovations like egg bites can be at the same price or lower than the food we're currently serving our children."
The $1 million investment will fund a comprehensive effort to make eggs more accessible, convenient, and affordable for school meal programs across the country. AEB is developing new recipes, testing how schools can adapt existing cooking equipment to prepare eggs, partnering with school districts to execute egg-based breakfast pilot programs, and developing new affordable egg products specifically designed for school kitchens through its Eggcelerator Lab innovation center.
"School districts need affordable, efficient, and easy-to-implement breakfast options to feed their growing populations, and eggs deliver on every count," said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. "This $1 million commitment is about unlocking new ideas, new partnerships, and new pathways to ensure more children can start their day with the high-quality protein they need. The new Dietary Guidelines say it best: eat real food. And eggs from America's farmers are as real as it gets."
America's Egg Farmers Deliver for Families Facing Hunger
The event also celebrated the success of a nationwide egg donation drive led by America's egg farmers through AEB in partnership with HATCH. In just weeks, the initiative delivered more than 9.7 million eggs to food banks nationwide, expanding access to high-quality protein for families facing food insecurity.
"Eggs are one of the most requested and most impactful foods we can provide," said Metz. "This effort shows what's possible when farmers, nonprofits, and government work together to close the protein gap."
America's egg farmers look forward to supporting the ongoing national conversation around real food and joining the efforts underway to Make America Healthy Again.
About the American Egg Board (AEB)
Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America's egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.
SOURCE American Egg Board
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