When the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect traditional sources of our food supply, many people began to notice empty grocery store shelves. Eggs were (and continue to be) one of many items that people have had difficulty finding at the grocery store. As a result, many people began looking for local egg sources.
It excites me to see people start to look for local ways to supplement their food supply. Keeping food chains as local as possible provides opportunities for both local growers and consumers to be resilient!
If you are just starting to sell or share your own farm fresh eggs, you will most likely want to share some educational information with your new customers. Education will help them prepare for any differences they may encounter when trying farm fresh eggs for the first time.
Bottom line: It's simply excellent customer service!
We've sold eggs to a diverse range of people over the years. Some are familiar with homegrown food, while others are not. Regardless of their background, I've discovered that a little education can go a long way toward ensuring a positive experience!
7 Things You Should Tell Your Customers About Farm Fresh Eggs
If you sell farm fresh eggs, you must be willing to assist your customers in understanding the differences between farm fresh and conventional eggs. Here are some educational points to discuss with new customers when they start buying eggs from you.
State Requirements:
The requirements for selling eggs vary by state. Before you start selling eggs, familiarize yourself with your state's requirements. These requirements are usually available online. If you need assistance understanding them, you can start by contacting your local extension office.
Understanding these laws will impact how you sell your eggs. You may also need to inform your clients of this. For example, the law may require that your eggs be purchased only on-site, which is why you cannot provide delivery. If your customers have any questions about how you sell your eggs, inform them about these laws.
Washed or Unwashed
Depending on your state's regulations, you may or may not have to wash your eggs before selling them. This is something you should inform your customers about. If your eggs have been washed, the protective bloom (coating) has been removed, and the eggs should be refrigerated. If the eggs have not been washed, inform your customers that the bloom is still intact.
However, I would still advise customers to wash their eggs before using them to remove any dirt or droppings that may be on the shell.
Color of the Yolk:
Many of our new customers are surprised at how dark the yolk is in our farm fresh eggs! Someone was even worried that the eggs had gone bad! As a result, we now always inform new customers about what to expect. Because chickens are fed a varied diet, dark yolks are far more common in farm fresh eggs.
Shell color
One of the best things about farm fresh eggs is the variety of beautiful egg colors! However, not everyone is used to seeing colorful eggs! One new customer specifically requested no blue eggs because they "freaked" her out (in her own words!).
We were happy to comply with her request and include only brown and white eggs in her orders. However, the majority of our customers adore the full range of eggshell colors included in their dozen!
Variations in shells:
Each shell is unique! Some have thick membranes that are difficult to crack, while others have thinner membranes. They may also have bumps, calcium deposits, or unusual textures. Some even change color in the center of the egg! It's critical to inform your new egg customers that while shells may appear different from time to time, they are still safe to eat.
Varying sizes
Farm fresh eggs come in a variety of sizes, just like their shell colors and textures. Pullets (young layers) typically lay smaller eggs than mature layers. Bantam eggs can be especially small if you have them in your flock. Inform your customers that egg sizes will vary from time to time. Even one of our customers preferred bantam eggs because they made ideal snack-sized hard-boiled eggs!
Housing and diets
Many customers will be interested in how your chickens are housed and what they are fed. Answering truthfully is critical because everyone has a right to know how and where their food is grown.
You may still need to educate your customers. For example, you may need to explain that having a rooster produces fertilized eggs, but this does not imply that the eggs contain baby chicks!
Alternatively, you may need to explain that free-range chickens are not vegetarians. Being upfront and honest is always the best way to generate rave reviews from customers who enjoy your farm fresh eggs!
In conclusion, by sharing these key points with your customers, you empower them to make informed choices about their food.
Farm-fresh eggs offer a world of benefits, from enhanced nutrition to supporting local farmers and reducing environmental impact.
So, next time your customers reach for a carton of eggs, let them know why farm-fresh is the way to go.
