U.S. egg farmers and United Egg Producers are teaming up with Feeding America, a non-profit committed to ending hunger in the U.S., to supply fresh eggs to their local communities. Feeding America maintains a network of about 200 food banks that serve almost every county within the United States. It also supports over 50,000 local charitable organizations which support over 90,000 local food pantries and soup kitchens.

UEP and American egg farmers nationwide have donated about 11 million eggs to local communities, donations that coincide with the Easter season. 2011 marks the fourth year that UEP have committed to donating eggs at Easter, and marks a significant effort by American agricultural producers to combat hunger in the U.S.

According to the USDA, about 15% of U.S. households, more than 45 million people, reported being food insecure at some point in the last year. Food security is typically achieved when a family or household does not live in fear of hunger or starvation. Current rates of food insecurity, linked to the recession, are higher than they have been in the last 15 years. Current rates of food pantry usage have increased by 2 million households over the last eight years and federal spending on hunger prevention programs has almost doubled in the same period.

In a statement, Gene Gregory, president of the UEP, claimed that members are proud to help needy communities. He also emphasized the local connections between agricultural producers and consumers, linking the health of the agricultural industry to maintaining ties between communities and neighbors.

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer