October 9th is World Egg Day – Let’s Celebrate!

Margaret Hudson
Présidente et directrice générale des Fermes Burnbrae
4^e génération d'agriculteurs

I love Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, but there’s another celebration that I can really get behind. Friday, October 9, 2020 is World Egg Day ! Established by the International Egg Commission in the UK, this observance has been noted since 1996, and is now marked in people’s calendars to hail the benefits of eggs. Today the event is celebrated right across the globe, as countries continue to promote the importance of eggs as a sustainable and affordable source of nutrition.

Experts from the International Egg Nutrition Centre (IENC) have identified important health reasons to eat eggs this World Egg Day, and I’m happy to share some of those with you.

1. Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet, and a fantastic source of protein. A single egg contains 14 essential nutrients including vitamins A, D and E. Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods available globally.

2. Eggs contain choline, which aids healthy brain development. This little-known nutrient plays an important role in building cell membranes, impacting a number of vital functions within the body, and eggs are one of the best natural sources of choline.

3. Eating eggs can maintain good eye health. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading causes of blindness across the globe, and eggs are a great natural source of vitamin A. The yolks also contain powerful antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which can counteract some degenerative processes affecting eye health.

The Egg Commission also notes that eggs have benefits for all ages, from providing building blocks during fetal development to containing the level of nutrients needed to sustain energy throughout the day for adults.

One of the most interesting parts of celebrating eggs globally is realizing the inequities of the food supply in different countries. While it may be simple for some Canadians to celebrate World Egg Day by heading to the grocery store to buy eggs for an omelette, it’s estimated that around the world one billion people are currently underfed and undernourished (this includes many Canadians too). Egg producers want to be part of the solution, so making high quality food available to the hungry is a priority for egg businesses around the world.

The egg industry donates over 50 million eggs every year to food banks and charities. Here in Canada, Burnbrae Farms partners with Children’s Breakfast Clubs to ensure that children receive a healthy, high-protein breakfast before school.

As well as donating eggs, many global egg suppliers work with developing countries to help them establish their own sustainable egg supply. For example, Burnbrae Farms works with World Vision Canada by matching every “ Hens and Roosters ” gift purchased from World Vision’s Gift Catalogue, up to the value of $15,000. The hens and roosters go to families in need in one of the 50 countries that World Vision supports around the world. The average hen can provide up to 300 eggs per year, providing families with nourishment and potential income.

Eggs are also celebrated globally for having a very low carbon footprint and being more environmentally sustainable than meat proteins, and they are more affordable as well. So whether you want to celebrate eggs for their sustainably, low cost or nutritional benefits, it’s a fun day to get behind! Join the fun on Instagram @World_Egg_Day or on Facebook @WEggDay.

Margaret Hudson,

President, Burnbrae Farms