Decision to use real eggs for WH Easter egg roll gets mixed reaction from farmers

• The White House’s decision to use real eggs for the Easter Egg Roll is receiving mixed reactions from farmers, due to ongoing supply strain and high prices. The egg roll will use 30,000 eggs for the event.
• The American Egg Board supports the use of real eggs, noting that the quantity needed for the event is minimal compared to daily egg sales, though some farmers express concern over the egg shortage.
• Despite recent price decreases, some farmers, like Vanessa Frias, argue that using real eggs for the event is wasteful, given the ongoing egg shortage and its impact on prices.

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The White House’s decision to use real eggs for its annual Easter egg roll tradition is getting mixed reaction from farmers amid a strain on supply and concern over prices.

President Donald Trump addressed the choice Wednesday, April 2, while announcing his new tariffs.

“They were saying that for Easter please don’t use eggs, use plastic eggs. I said we don’t wanna do that,” Trump said.

Who is providing all of the eggs?

It’s not clear who the president was referencing when he mentioned being told not to use real eggs, but the White House does have support from the American Egg Board. The group has provided eggs for the event for nearly 50 years through donations from farmers across the country.

This year’s Easter egg roll is set for April 21 and will feature 30,000 eggs to use in games and for decorating. 

The American Egg Board’s president, Emily Metz, released a statement about the organization’s choice to continue participating.

“The eggs required for our national tradition represent a very small percentage of the nearly nine million dozen eggs sold at grocers and other retailers across the country each day. Additionally, the eggs used for the white house easter egg roll will be in sizes small and medium, which are not meant for the retail and grocery channels.”

American Egg Board President Emily Metz

What did farmers say about the decision?

Some egg farmers share the same view, including Marty Thomas, co-owner of Kakadoodle Egg Farm in Illinois.

“I don’t think that they should use fake eggs for it,” Thomas told NBC News. “It’s not like they’re using millions of eggs for this egg roll. It’s a fun thing.”

Kakadoodle Egg Farm won’t be able to donate eggs to the event, after losing its 3,000 hen flock to bird flu in January. 

According to the Agriculture Department, bird flu has impacted 168 million birds across the U.S. since the outbreak began in February 2022. It led to a shortage of hens, contributing to higher egg prices. 

NBC News also spoke with farmer Vanessa Frias from Willowbrook Farms in Michigan, who doesn’t think the White House should use real eggs for the egg roll event.

“Because of the shortage, I don’t think it makes sense to waste our eggs on an event that isn’t giving anything,” Frias said. “I could see if the eggs were going to a cause or going to feed people, but to roll them across the lawn, I don’t think that makes any sense. It’s a waste.” 

What is the current average price of eggs?

According to data from the Agriculture Department, egg prices have decreased recently. The average cost of a dozen large white eggs is now priced at $3, compared with an all-time high of $8.64 cents on March 5.