Egg prices impacting local nonprofits

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The price of eggs has increased again, and it doesn’t look like it will be going down anytime soon. It’s affecting shoppers and local nonprofits.

“Just last week, I purchased eggs. A 60 box of eggs was $20.24. Today, I had to order more eggs and it’s already $27.84. So just the jump in one week,” said Julie Becker, CEO of the St. Francis House.

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To keep costs down, the St. Francis House is considering egg-alternatives.

“So what my staff in the food service department here is working on is utilizing the eggs for what we truly need it for. And if we can not have to bake with eggs and maybe use applesauce or yogurts or other items,” said Becker.

The Faith Temple Food Giveaway is relying on discounts and donations to ensure it has enough eggs.

“We’ve been buying about the same amount of eggs. And then also Dakota Layers gives us several hundred dozen eggs. Otherwise, if we bought them, I don’t know if we’d be able to do that,” said Jeff Hayes, director of Faith Temple Food Giveaway.

With higher prices at the grocery store, more people are turning to the giveaway for help.

“Last week we had almost 1400 people come in. So, they’re looking for eggs. They’re looking for protein,” said Hayes.

Until egg prices start to drop, non profits will find creative ways to meet the need.

“So it may be that we’re offering other protein options. Someone recently donated a bunch of the little egg bites, so those were utilized one time for egg bites. The next time they were chopped up and they had them in their breakfast burritos,” said Becker.