Rising Food Prices and The Role Eggs Can Play
President's Blog
President, Burnbrae Farms
4th Generation Farmer
If you’ve been grocery shopping lately, you’ve likely noticed a steep increase in prices all around the store. Due to a combination of factors from the pandemic, including issues with food production, transportation, packaging and supply chain, your average grocery bill has likely grown.
According to the Canadian Food Prices Report for 2022, prepared by researchers with Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia, food prices in Canada will increase by five to seven percent in 2022. Overall, an average family of four will spend almost $1000 more on groceries in 2022, compared to 2021. That’s a steep increase, especially when prices for other things (such as gasoline) are rising too.
Bakery, dairy, and vegetables are forecast to have the highest increase in prices, with meat and seafood following not too far behind. It’s also expected to cost more to dine out, with restaurant prices increasing by six to eight percent.
The dilemma facing many of us is how to ensure that meals remain accessible, affordable and enjoyable amid rising food prices. One solution is to enjoy eggs more often as part of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. As a source of protein with more than 16 essential vitamins and minerals, eggs are a cost effective way to add nutrition and enjoyment to the plate.
One egg contains six grams of protein and comes with a price tag of just 0.42 cents (on average). A dozen eggs is $4.98 and can easily be the protein option for a meal that feeds four (that’s 18 grams of protein per plate – just from the eggs alone!). Eggs are also a source of iron, choline, and vitamins A, D, E, B12 and folate. That’s a LOT of nutrition for a small price tag.
Compare the price of eggs to the cost of poultry, fish, seafood or meat, and you will find that eggs are one of the most economical ways to get a high-quality source of protein for a lower cost. Let’s compare!
To get roughly 18-22 grams of protein (one serving), here’s the cost of various products (averages taken from Walmart.ca):
Canned tuna: $1.14 per 100 g (21 g protein)
Eggs: $1.26 cents for 3 eggs (18 g protein)
Ground beef: $1.44 per 100 g (20 g protein)
Chicken thighs $2.03 per 100 g (22 g protein)
Salmon $2.59 per 100 g (18 g protein)
As you can see, eggs are one of the most affordable sources of protein when compared with ground beef, chicken thighs and salmon. Compare the prices where you shop and see the difference that eggs can make.
As a nod to the versatility of eggs, here are some recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
Breakfast or brunch:
Lunch or dinner:
Snacks:
Economical, delicious, nutritious and versatile – it’s a great time to revisit why eggs should be featured on your plate. Enjoy every bite!
Margaret Hudson
President and CEO, Burnbrae Farms