Washington farmer donates 43,200 eggs to Northwest Harvest just in time for Easter

For the Reporter

Wilcox Family Farms is helping in the fight against hunger by donating more than 43,000 eggs to Northwest Harvest.

The eggs were delivered Thursday at the Northwest Harvest Kent Warehouse. The fresh eggs will quickly be distributed to food banks and other partner outlets throughout King County, according to Andrea Flatley, communications manager for Northwest Harvest.

Fresh eggs are always a prized item for food banks due to their dense nutritional and high protein content, but they are also one of the hardest food categories for food banks to acquire, according to Northwest Harvest.

“Wilcox is dedicated to helping our surrounding neighbors,” said Brent Wilcox, owner/CEO of Wilcox Family Farms.

According to the USDA, one large egg delivers six grams of protein and 13 essential nutrients such as choline, folate, iron and zinc. Additionally, the USDA concluded in 2011 that the average amount of cholesterol was 14 percent lower and vitamin D content was 64 percent higher than previously thought.

“Year-round our generous farmers donate fresh eggs to their local food assistance organizations,” stated Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. “We come together during the Easter season to give a little extra and make fresh eggs available to food insecure families across the country.”

Northwest Harvest and its network of more than 350 food banks and meal programs throughout the state provide 1.7 million meals a month to families in Washington, the 14th hungriest state in the country. More than half of who we serve are children and the elderly.

The mission of Northwest Harvest is to provide nutritious food to hungry people statewide in a manner that respects their dignity, while fighting to eliminate hunger.

Find out more at northwestharvest.org.