WHY I DIDN’T BUY THE $8 EGGS

On June 27, 2005 I posted a story on this site about why I had purchased one dozen eggs for $6.00 from MARIN SUN FARMS at the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market. Or rather, how I could justify spending so much money on one dozen eggs. My arguments remain the same. If I want delicious, organic, pesticide and hormone free food then I should be willing to pay the extra amount it takes to produce. This desire to do the right thing by the food I put into my body and the health of the planet is brought home ever so hard by the book I am now reading, The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. It’s more like a crisis than a dilemma, let me tell you. So this morning I took my book with me to enjoy in the warm February sun on a bench by the water. I finish reading Chapter 11, ‘The Animals: Practicing Complexity’. Now I am really fired up. I am even more convinced that my $6 spent on a dozen eggs is more than just good sense, why it’s now become my political statement. So I close my book, grab my Peets coffee and head straight to the Marin Sun Farms stand. There is the sign. One dozen eggs, $8.00. How can this be? When did this happen? A 30% + increase? And, dear reader, I just couldn’t do it. I don’t know why. Surely, I will spend $8 on something else today. Maybe a cocktail this evening. Or maybe I won’t. But somehow $8 a dozen for eggs just knocked me out. Look, the Marin Sun Farm folks are a nice bunch and certainly deserve to cover their expenses and pay their mortgage. But I guess I am just not willing to be part of this particular equation any longer. My grandmother would tell me it is because I have come to my senses....

Comments

[Timothy]

I'm in the process of raising 2 chickens in my backyard, total cost of the project is around $300. I don't think we have bobcats in Pomona, CA. I do however have a german shepherd that I have to keep out of the coop until she learns the chicks are to protected, not a late night snack.

Based on $8 a dozen, and assuming 150 eggs per year per chicken, I break even in less than 2 years. It will probably take longer if a few end up being snacks along the way.

http://iedaddy.wordpress.com

[Krystle]

Speaking from a farmer's perspective, this is where it's a good idea to actually get to know the farmer and find out what kind of costs they're dealing with.

I'd imagine that in CA, the costs are exorbitant, that can also depend on their location, and how far they are from a wealthy urban center. More importantly, is it a true profit farm, where the profits need to pay the bills, or is it more of a recreational farm, based on values and lifestyle, and charging $8 an egg because they can afford to exclude a good deal of their customer base?

The difference is that the former will be able to crunch the numbers with you and say "THIS is why I need to charge $8 an egg." When you see that someone's making an earnest effort to make a living, and how the numbers add up, $8/dozen might be more approachable. But if it's someone charging that much just because they can, that's another story.

-Krystle
http://www.TasteTheSeasons.com

[Barbaraw]

This is why I live in Ohio and not in California, as much as I adore the Bay Area. Our cost of living is way, way lower, even on stuff like organic, locally grown foods.

I spend around $3.00 a dozen for organic, free range, locally produced eggs, year round.

Yeah.

So, uh, no, I wouldn't pay $8.00 a dozen for eggs. That is really ridiculous, if you ask me, even for California.

[Doug]

I buy mine in packages of 18 for about $2. They're certainly 'sweat shop eggs' and have ADVERTISING printed on them!

Talk about horrifying

[Julie]

I have raised my own hens for eggs and although it started out being very fun, it did not end up that way. (long story, involving bobcats) I bet those eggs cost us about $8 per dozen! But boy were they yummy. Now I have fresh local organic eggs delivered to my door every other week for $4.15 per dozen. I didn't know what a bargain that was until I read this! I think the price jumped because hens don't lay as well in the darker winter months. Price may go down as the days grow longer.....

[sam]

I have been thinking about this a lot since yesterday and concluded I think of it like this now:

I prefer to pay $8 for poco dolce than 1.50 for Hersheys, because they taste better and I support a local artisan.

I prefer to pay $8 for Marin Sun Farm Eggs because they taste better and the hens that laid them are better cared for and I support a local farmer.

I just don't understand why people who don't mind paying extra for good chocolate/cheese/coffee/whatever, are unable to justify the same for eggs. I don't understand where the value of an egg got so devalued in comparison to other foods.

that is my confusion on this issue.
And those eggs do taste better.
you only need to look at their golden yolks.

[Karletta]

David,
What an amusing idea!
K

[David]

Did you try bargaining them down?

: 0

[Karletta]

'Horrified' is not exactly how I felt. 'Miffed' might be a better way to describe it. And actually, the $8 would be spent at a local watering hole thus supporting a local merchant or a local confectioner like Poco Dolce. I think that this discussion points up exactly the kind of dilemma that I feel myself part of. I also know that there will be no shortage of consumers who will be willing to spend the $8. And to them we must all be thankful for they will allow Marin Sun Farms to continue its important work.

[sam]

So explain to me why is is fine to spend $8 on 4 x poco dolce chocolates, but so horrific to spend it on 12 eggs. 12 beautiful, natural eggs with deep golden yolks that could sufficiently feed you for 6 entire meals. Why is it a cocktail, made no doubt with machine-processed alcohol, by a company probably making millions of dollars a year, that slips down your throat in 30 minutes or so, why is that cocktail worth $8 and why are those beautiful eggs not?

You can just buy half a dozen for $4 if that makes it any easier - they will split the box for you.

WHy does the chicken's egg have so much less value than all this manufactured, processed, stuff.

That's what I don't understand.

I am going to continue, buyong the eggs, in fact I am going to prepare one for my brunch right now...

[Amy Sherman]

When I was growing up, and I'm not THAT old, we had chickens and sold the eggs to neighbors. For a dollar. Per dozen. And by the way, that was in Marin! I'm pretty sure you can find them a little cheaper out at the Alemany market.