Eggs are a staple due to their protein and other nutrients. All food service businesses have a mission to obtain the best of the best from the market — that way, they can provide a quality inventory for their customers.
Learn about the best egg suppliers for grocery stores and other food service establishments.
The Recent Egg Shortage
Eggs are a key breakfast food and necessary ingredient in numerous dishes. Demand has always been steady no matter the economic pressure, with the yearly consumption measured at 281.3 eggs per person in 2023.
That said, businesses should be mindful about which egg suppliers they work with. There have been egg shortages and price hikes of about 38% in 2024, bringing the average cost of a dozen to roughly $3.65. Experts believe the bird flu outbreak and inflation are the top contributors.
It is theorized that farms and producers will eventually recover and stabilize prices, but time is of the essence for grocers and food services. Here are some key considerations when seeking an egg supplier:
- Different types of eggs: Grocery stores should offer a variety of eggs for their consumers. A healthy mix of cage-free, free-range and pasture-raised eggs is ideal. Adding innovative egg snacks can also make the aisle more diverse.
- Egg health: Getting a fresh batch of eggs is important for your customers, as a negative experience puts your reputation on the line. Work with a supplier who prioritizes egg health.
- Sustainability practices: With growing environmental concerns, there is increasing interest in more sustainable options. Food establishments should partner with suppliers who have sustainable practices that they can take pride in.
- Reliability in production: Depending on the size of your food service, you might need a high volume of eggs. The ideal egg supplier should meet your levels of demand. You could also work with multiple egg producers to offer different brands at your place of business.
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Best Egg Suppliers for Retailers
While all eggs come from the same animals, certain brands may have specialties and standards. Here are the best egg suppliers for retailers.
1. Sauder’s Eggs
What to expect: Large selection of high-quality eggs, jumbo size.
Sauder’s Eggs is recognized as one of the most reputable egg-wholesaling businesses, working with family-owned and operated farming operations. All dozens are placed in recyclable cartons to promote sustainability.
All eggs are of high quality, as chickens are fed Sauder’s Gold feed. This feed provides omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and other vitamins to boost the health benefits of this kitchen staple.
The best thing about Sauder’s Eggs is the variety — you can get traditional, organic, regular and brown cage-free eggs. Cage-free means all laying hens were placed in open indoor spaces to minimize stress and infighting. There are also free-range ones, which grants chickens even more freedom to roam in an outdoor environment.
Sauder’s Hard-Boiled Eggs are also an innovative standout to offer at your store. Customers can get perfect, readily made hard-cooked eggs for snacking, with mouthwatering flavors like Buffalo Hot and Red Beet.
2. Happy Egg Co.
What to expect: Free-range eggs with orange yolks.
Happy Egg Co. is a gourmet egg supplier that keeps production simple. Family-owned farms provide nutritious feed and fresh water to hens, ensuring they lay delicious eggs for loyal customers. Everything is packed in biodegradable cartons.
The Heritage Free-Range dozen is Happy Egg Co.’s most popular offering, containing a rich and flavorful orange yolk. Michelin-star restaurants approve of using these different brown and blue eggs in their coveted dishes.
3. Vital Farms
What to expect: Best pasture-raised eggs, Heirloom blue eggs.
Vital Farms is one of the most popular egg brands, potentially because of its slogan, “Keeping It Bullsh*t-Free.” All farmers and suppliers prioritize animal welfare to ensure ethically produced and pasture-raised eggs.
No pesticides or herbicides are used on the pastures for the sake of the chickens and the environment. You can look forward to those beautiful golden yolks and delicious tastes without an ounce of guilt.
Aside from pasture-raised eggs, there are also True Blues Heirloom Blue Eggs. These come from Azur hens, known for their bright white feathers. You can get 12 distinct-looking eggs sourced from the same fields.
4. Fremont Farms
What to expect: Liquid egg products
Fremont Farms in Iowa is a supplier from different family farms that have been involved in egg production since 1998. They are best known for their liquid whole eggs, egg yolks and egg whites, which remove their outer shell to skip the carton packaging.
Fremont Farms has recently transitioned to cage-free production, building modern production facilities to ensure chickens are cared for during creation. All eggs are washed, sanitized, inspected and packaged properly before arriving at your food service.
5. Eggland’s Best
What to expect: Nutritious eggs from vegetarian-fed hens.
Eggland’s Best produces some of the best classic white eggs on the market for several reasons. First, hens are given a high-quality, all-vegetarian diet that eliminates recycled and processed food. It contains soybean meal, healthy grains and other nutritional ingredients.
Due to the vegetarian diet, these eggs are very fresh and last quite a while. The imprinted Eggland’s Best logo on the egg, which uses FDA-compliant and USDA-approved food-safe ink, also makes each dozen recognizable.
6. Organic Valley
What to expect: USDA-certified organic eggs
As the name suggests, Organic Valley is your trusted supplier of eggs that are sustainably made without toxic chemicals, synthetic hormones, antibiotics or GMOs. Grocery stores can also source other products like milk, butter, cheese, half-and-half and more.
Organic Valley’s USDA-certified organic eggs come in medium, large and extra-large sizes. You can also get liquid pasteurized egg whites, which have zero cholesterol and fat. They’re perfect for restaurant dishes like meringue cookies and mayonnaise that choose to eliminate the yolk.
7. Nellie’s Free Range
What to expect: Free-range eggs from small farms
Nellie’s Free Range is committed to delivering Certified Humane-free range eggs. One of the more unique aspects of this supplier is that it works with smaller farms to support the local economy. However, you can still trust that all hens can freely roam the fields.
Groceries can also offer Nellie’s Free Range Hard-Boiled Eggs, which feature medium-grade-A eggs. There’s also Sous Vide Egg Bites, which combines their eggs with uncured bacon and gruyere for a healthy grab-and-go snack.
8. Pete & Gerry’s
What to expect: B-Corporation-certified organic eggs
Pete & Gerry’s offers USDA-certified and Certified Humane organic eggs from different family farms nationwide. It is also one of the first egg producers to secure B Corporation Certification, meaning it has high standards of verified accountability and transparency.
Regarding egg production, Pete & Gerry’s follows the same sustainability wave. All hens are free-range and pasture-raised, left to forage fresh greens, seeds and creatures. Supplemental feed is also given to meet the chickens’ nutritional needs.
9. Alexandre Family Farm
What to expect: Regenerative pasture-raised eggs
Alexandre Family Farm is an egg supplier known for its regenerative farming processes. Regenerative agriculture prioritizes the environment, minimizing deforestation and maximizing soil quality. It also utilizes resource conservation in terms of water and land.
As a result, you can get large or jumbo pasture-raised eggs from regenerative mobile coops. Having movable henhouses ensures chickens are on green grass all year round, preventing overgrazing and land degradation.
10. Farm Crest Foods
What to expect: White-shell cage-free eggs
Farm Crest Foods is a Michigan egg supplier that offers affordable white shell commodities and cage-free eggs. These are procured from chickens fed locally processed grain from their parent company, Active Feed Company.
Farm Crest Foods keeps things simple, supplying eggs in medium, large, extra-large and jumbo sizes. Wholesale pricing is also available for establishments ordering big batches, and you can also apply for a private label exclusive to your grocery store.
11. Utopihen Farms
What to expect: Pasture-raised and organic duck eggs
Utopihen Farms offers a utopia of sustainably sourced eggs. There are organic and regular eggs, though you can also provide customers with soy- and corn-free eggs. These non-GMO options are perfect for people with soy or corn allergies.
You can also look forward to Utopihen Farms’ pasture-raised duck eggs. These follow the same careful practices and are considerably higher in protein than chicken eggs. The shells are also slightly more durable, which minimizes breakage and waste.
12. Farmers Hen House
What to expect: Eggs sourced from a sustainable processing facility
Farmers Hen House offers various products, from free-range to organic to pasture-raised. Its farmers are committed to maintaining the egg supply to keep small and local family farms on their feet in the modern economy.
One unique aspect of Farmers Hen House is that its processing facility is powered entirely by solar energy. This is because the company partnered with the Farmers Electric Cooperative, which seeks to move away from fossil fuel use.
Invest in Good Egg Brands
Businesses in the food service industry should be selective about choosing the best egg suppliers, as their offerings reflect on their business. Work with the best of the best to ensure high-quality inventory and satisfy customers.
