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10/2/2009 -Eggs-Feeding Familes Worldwide for Centuries

 Celebrate World Egg Day in Iowa on October 9, 2009

Urbandale, Iowa—On Friday, October 9, celebrate a food that has played a major role in feeding families around the globe for centuries—the incredible, edible egg. World Egg Day, celebrated annually the second Friday in October, helps to raise awareness of the many benefits of eggs in countries all around the world.

Iowa can be proud its egg farmers lead the U.S. in egg production with approximately 14.5 billion eggs produced each year. There are enough Iowa eggs produced annually to feed everyone in the world for two days or every U.S. citizen for nearly seven weeks.

“There are almost seven billion people on the Earth at present,” said IEC Executive Director Kevin Vinchattle.  “It won’t be that long before we are looking at ten billion.  Feeding a hungry world should be a top priority for Iowa and Iowa’s egg farmers go a long way in accomplishing that mission.  The egg provides the highest quality protein, and, in this country, does it at the least cost per serving.”

Beyond feeding the world, Iowa’s egg farmers are also feeding the Iowa economy. Generating approximately 7,600 jobs, $2 billion in total sales annually, $280 million in personal wages, and $20 million in state general fund tax revenues.

“Iowa’s egg farmers add value to Iowa corn and soybeans.  In doing so, they stimulate economic activity throughout the Iowa economy.  It is a great example of how food-producing animals benefit Iowans,” Vinchattle said.

Celebrate World Egg Day on October 9 and the work of Iowa’s Egg Farmers everyday. For more information on how to include the incredible, edible, economical egg into your next mealtime, visit our Web site www.iowaegg.org or call (515) 727-4701.

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Contacts: Cayla Westergard, Iowa Egg Council Director of Consumer Affairs, (515) 727-4701, cayla@iowaegg.org