Latest news with #Pete&Gerry
Forbes
17-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Beyond The Carton: What Are Premium Eggs And Why Do They Matter?
Egg shortages have left consumers scrambling to find cartons on store shelves. And when eggs are in stock, shoppers are faced with higher prices, carton limits and a confusing list of labels that make it hard to decide which eggs to take home. 'I've always seen people standing in front of egg aisles looking perplexed, but now you see it more than ever,' says Phyllis Rothschild, chief marketing officer for Pete & Gerry's, the nation's top producer of organic, pasture-raised and free-range eggs. With conventional egg prices hitting record highs, more consumers are purchasing premium eggs like Pete & Gerry's. Pete & Gerry's Part of the confusion stems from the prices. Avian influenza, or bird flu, has caused prices of commodity eggs to hit record highs and, in some cases, made them more expensive than premium eggs. It's led to an increase in the number of consumers who purchase eggs with free-range, pasture-raised and organic labels. The difference between commodity eggs and premium eggs from brands like Pete & Gerry's and Nellie's Free Range Eggs is evident in the first bite. It makes consumers think, "Hey, what have I been missing my whole life? These eggs are so much better,' Rothschild says. Labels can help consumers find premium eggs in stores, but they are often hard-pressed to definitively say what they mean. Research shows that 89% of shoppers who purchased eggs with labels like natural, vegetarian-fed or farm-raised believed the claims indicated higher animal welfare standards. But these specific claims are often misleading. Rothschild suggests skipping over cartons emblazoned with the phrases 'farm raised,' 'all natural' and 'fresh' because all hens are raised on farms, and all eggs are natural and fresh. 'Vegetarian-fed' is another misleading label claim. Chickens are omnivores and want to eat bugs and worms alongside nutritious chicken feed. Cage-free is yet another misunderstood label. It can paint a picture that hens are free to roam in the grass, but Rothschild says 'these hens barely see the light of day.' 'They're not locked in a cage, but they're in very crowded, large buildings,' she says. 'They rarely even have windows.' Cage-free hens are not, in fact, free. They are housed inside large, cramped barn structures and rarely, if ever, go outdoors. Adobe Consumers who value hen welfare and premium eggs should look for eggs with 'free-range' or 'pasture-raised' labels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the use of these terms, which means that eggs labeled 'free-range' or 'pasture-raised' were laid by hens that spent time outdoors, in the sunshine, perching and dustbathing, and foraging for natural critters, Rothschild explains. The USDA organic label denotes that hens were free to roam, had access to the outdoors and ate organic diets made from feeds produced without conventional pesticides or fertilizers. Another meaningful label, Certified Humane, comes with a guarantee that hens were not raised in cages and were provided the opportunity to express their innate, instinctual behaviors, or, said differently, to act like hens. 'We were the first premium egg, so it made sense that we were going to be the first brand to be Certified Humane,' says Pete & Gerry's CEO Tom Flocco. 'This is a company that's done a lot of things first, and it's consistent with the mission and consistent with walking the talk of caring about the welfare of animals, caring about the family farm. Getting a meaningful label on your farm's eggs starts with how you raise the chickens. Pete & Gerry's partners with almost 300 family farms across 15 states in what Flocco describes as a 'very different model in terms of hen welfare.' Smaller-scale family farms are also important for egg safety during the avian influenza crisis. It's often only the family members managing their flock, and having fewer people coming on and off the farm increases biosecurity, reducing the risk that hens will become infected with the contagious, viral disease. Partnering with family farms and prioritizing hen welfare is better for the hens and better for consumers: Healthy hens lay better eggs. The Barry Family, one of Pete & Gerry's nearly 300 family farm partners. Pete & Gerry's 'You can tell in a second when an egg didn't come from a healthy hen,' says Flocco. The telltale signs: weak shells, pale yolks and runny egg whites. For consumers who purchase premium eggs, the words printed on the colorful Pete & Gerry's carton — healthy hens, healthy eggs, healthy planet — are not just marketing, but a promise. 'Hen welfare does matter, not only because it's the right thing to do but also because it makes for a better product and a better experience for you as a consumer,' Flocco says. 'You bring them home and you crack them and you eat them and you say, 'Wow, this is really different and better, and I'm not going back.''
Forbes
17-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Why Quality Eggs And Animal Welfare Matters More Amid The Avian Flu Crisis
Eggs on the supermarket shelves might look the same, but crack one open and the differences are obvious: Premium eggs have harder shells, brighter yolks, firmer egg whites and a superior flavor. The reason? Healthy hens. Pete & Gerry's, one of the largest premium egg producers in the country, partners with almost 300 family farms where hens can roam, scratch in the dirt, eat bugs and relax in lush pastures. There are no crowded barns and no shortcuts. At a time when avian influenza, or bird flu, is making headlines, smaller scale farms and humane practices have become even more important. Pete & Gerry's hens roam around an expansive pasture, a farming model that has helped protect hens from avian influenza. 'We've always been committed to hen welfare,' says Phyllis Rothschild, chief marketing officer for Pete & Gerry's, the nation's top producer of organic, pasture-raised and free-range eggs. 'We like to say that we were the first to do it better, and we're still doing it best.' Doing it better matters. Consumers care about where their food comes from and consider animal welfare and ethical production practices when making purchasing decisions. Embracing a family farm model and raising hens on pasture also protects birds from avian influenza. Outbreaks of the disease, which causes coughing, sneezing, lack of coordination and, often, sudden death, occur far less often in free-range and pasture-raised hens. In fact, almost 100% of avian influenza outbreaks happened at farms where chickens lived in cages or inside crowded barns. 'When we started this business … we weren't thinking about, 'This is going to be the best defense against avian flu.' We were thinking that we wanted to support family farms and that we believed in animal welfare,' explains Cameron Whitehead, chief operating officer for Pete & Gerry's. 'Our model of having family farms across 15 states and fewer hens on each farm insulates us and minimizes how avian influenza impacts us.' You don't need to look further than the colorful carton to see Pete & Gerry's commitment to hen welfare. The girls, as the company sometimes calls them, are raised in free-range or pasture-raised settings, and each family farm in the Pete & Gerry's network is third-party Certified Humane. It's a guarantee that hens were not raised in cages and given opportunities to express their natural behaviors like dustbathing, perching and roaming outdoors. The Willhide Family, one of Pete & Gerry's nearly 300 family farm partners. Including the brand's values and approach to farming on the egg cartons means consumers don't 'need to have a Ph.D. in egg terminology to go shopping in the grocery store,' Rothschild explains. 'There are segments of consumers that place a lot of value on animal welfare and egg quality,' she adds. 'They want to make sure that the claims that they're reading … translate into their own value system.' And now consumers are valuing egg safety much more as bird flu has been blamed for record-setting egg prices and bare store shelves due to limited egg supplies. 'The family farm model has been more resilient,' adds Rothschild. 'This is their family's livelihood. There's hands-on care, and there are people present with the hens all day long making sure that they're protected, both from the flu but also from any other risks that can be associated with the health of the hens.' This unwavering commitment to hen welfare and biosecurity means every time you cook a Pete & Gerry's egg, you get a safe egg and support a farming model that is better for hens, farmers and the environment — and definitely better for breakfast.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Roughly 100,000 eggs worth $40,000 were stolen in Pennsylvania — as egg prices have nearly doubled in 1 year
Thieves made off with around 100,000 eggs — worth nearly $40,000 — after cracking open a distribution trailer in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, according to local authorities. The eggs were taken from a trailer at Pete & Gerry's Organics on the night of Feb. 1. An investigation has been opened. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) A near-record number of Americans are grappling with $1,000 car payments and many drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to stay ahead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes "We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible," the egg producer said in a statement released to media outlets. The theft has drawn plenty of attention as the nation grapples with sky-high egg prices, which is putting pressure on consumers and business owners alike. A wave of avian flu is largely being blamed for a shortage of eggs, which has caused prices to skyrocket. Prices can vary depending on what part of the country you live in, however, the consumer price index pegged the value of a dozen large eggs at $4.95 as of January. That's up from $2.52 a year prior. The rising cost of eggs has led many diners and bodegas across America to raise prices — in some cases adding a surcharge per egg — and remind staff to handle inventory with care. Read more: Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) "My cooks, they all know — do not break an egg. Be very gentle," Gizelle Bruggemann, who runs The Pelican Restaurant in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, told WPTV News in a story posted Feb. 4. "They are the most expensive thing on the menu right now." Some restaurant owners who are reluctant to raise menu prices are seeking different distributors. Relief may not come any time soon for businesses and consumers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts the price of eggs will go up around 20% in 2025, while the price of food is expected to rise 2.2%. There are several steps consumers can take to limit the impact of sky-high egg prices. The most obvious is to consume fewer eggs — but that doesn't mean you have to give them up altogether. Instead, look for creative ways to enjoy your favorite foods. Rather than using three eggs for an omelet, use two and add a splash of milk and extra meat or veggies to round out your meal. Look for egg alternatives to use in the kitchen. Many vegan baking recipes, for example, use applesauce or mashed bananas as a binding agent instead of eggs. Some websites offer allergy-friendly recipes, as many people are allergic to eggs, presenting different options. Another way to offset rising egg costs is to buy in bulk or through local farmers. Wholesale clubs and local farms sometimes offer better deals than grocery stores, especially when purchasing larger quantities. Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are 'kind of inflated.' Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies One dozen eggs in America now costs $4.15 — and $14.35 for a pound of sirloin steak. Both record highs. 3 simple ways to protect your wealth in 2025 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
Eggs Are The New PS5s As Mystery Thief Steals 100,000 In Overnight Heist
This is not what I eggspected. According to Pennsylvania state police, someone recently made off with a partial truckload of premium, top-shelf, organic eggs. The thief absconded with their protein-rich haul in the night, and now appears to be dust in the wind. The fowl play took place on February 1 around 8:40 p.m. at a distribution trailer for Pete & Gerry's Organics in Antrim Township, according to the State Police. No further leads as to who stoles the eggs or why have been shared so far. Law enforcement estimated the value of the 100,000 eggs at $40,000, which if you've ever gazed longingly at Pete & Gerry's free range extra large brown eggs on the shelf at the grocery store sounds like low-balling it. 'We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible,' Pete & Gerry's told USA Today in a statement. The unusual heist recalls the PlayStation 5 snatchings that occasionally happened back in 2020, when the launch console was super-rare and hard to find. The internet lit up with tales of roving UK gangs raiding trucks full of PS5s and drivers absconding with undelivered consoles. Now, with prices spiking because of the bird flu outbreak, eggs are the luxury items on everyone's mind. Sure, they're still super-cheap compared to gaming consoles, but the roughly 20 percent spike in prices in recent months hits doubly hard. The pain isn't only felt in our wallets but in our stomachs as well. Luxury purchases feel different than a few unexpected extra bucks on carefully scrutinized grocery bills. I used to eat a dozen eggs at week at least. Eggs on toast. Eggs on noodles. Hard boiled. Soft boiled. Omelets. I was a fiend for these golden delights. No longer. I'm not quite ready to pawn my PS5 for a month's supply of eggs, but I no longer instantly perish the thought. I doubt this mystery thief is a Robin Hood, preparing to doll out free eggs in the woods of Western PA. But I do wonder what you actually do with 100,000 stolen eggs. Make a giant cake? Sell them on eBay? I will be watching the development of this story with great interest, and many pangs of hunger. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
