Adam and Eve on a raft! Two dots and a dash! Fry two and let the sun shine!
There are so many ways to enjoy eggs that we’ve created a whole lingo for them (fried on toast, with bacon, or sunny side up, above). From duck to quail eggs and a whole range of chicken eggs, we love to find a local source. So, what do you need to know to become a great egg shopper? Here’s our crack at answering your common questions.
Egg Labels and Farming Practices
The USDA allows egg producers to add their farming practices to their cartons voluntarily. These claims include:
Organic
Unless the producer makes $5,000 or less annually, claims for organic eggs must be certified by the National Organic Program (NOP).
Cage-free
In a cage-free environment, chickens are allowed movement both vertically and horizontally, allowing the animal to pursue its natural behaviors in areas like perches and nests. This does NOT mean that the animal is raised outdoors.
Free-range
This means all of the above, with the addition of some access to the outdoors during their laying cycle.
None of these claims specify how large indoor or outdoor spaces for each animal must be, but they do state that the chickens must be able to move in a way that promotes bird welfare.
Selling Eggs in Michigan
Starting in December of 2024, Michigan law states that egg-laying hens need to be able to stand up, fully extend their limbs, and turn around freely. Therefore, egg sellers need to use cage-free farming practices to sell eggs within state boundaries, but this does not apply to cooked or liquid egg products (ie, boxed egg whites).
How long do farm fresh eggs last?
The USDA says that eggs will last 3-5 weeks in the refrigerator, even if that date goes beyond the sell-by date. What if you only want the freshest eggs? The old housewife’s test of placing eggs in a bowl of water and looking for floaters doesn’t hold up, according to America’s Test Kitchen. However, eggs in a grocery store can legally be as old as two months, so find a local source to ensure the best freshness!
Are local eggs brown?
The color of the shell depends on the breed of the bird, not the provenance of the eggs themselves. Speckled, blue, and a range of browns and tans are all within normal range; it’s not even Seussian to find a green egg! According to Michigan State University Extension, all eggs begin as white inside a bird but may become pigmented as they pass through the chicken’s oviduct, depending on breed.
While color doesn’t change the overall structure of the egg, the environment does. Local eggs come in a range of colors but are more likely to be nutritionally dense, no matter the hue (depending on farming practices).
Ready for egg salad? Find a local egg farmer here!