Share Your Table - The Incredible Edible Egg

The Incredible Edible Egg

Hawaii eggs from hen to table in three days

By Melissa Chang

Easter may be over, but Hawaii's local egg industry still needs your support. Why buy local eggs? For one thing, Hawaii eggs are fresher. A mainland egg can be up to two weeks old by the time it reaches your hands, whereas Hawaii-laid eggs take about three days from hen to table.

Hawaii's temperate climate and geographical isolation make for healthier chickens and eggs. Unlike mainland factory-farmed egg-laying chickens, our weather allows flocks to be raised in fresh air houses instead of huge indoor, artificially lit factories. Also, being in the middle of the Pacific means less exposure to disease.

The egg industry in Hawaii is mostly comprised of small family run farms. Small scale egg farms means flocks are healthier and need less antibiotics than mainland farms with mass scale flocks and crowded conditions. While Hawaii's egg farms are small, family run operations, their safety measures exceed national guidelines.

Eggs are recession friendly

During economic downturns, the egg industry tends to hold up because people seek this affordable, delicious, nutrient-dense food, with a high proportion of nutrients per calorie. One large egg provides 57 calories, of which 6 grams (12 percent of the recommended daily value) is the highest quality protein comprising complete amino acids and 13 essential nutrients—including choline, folate, lutien and vitamin D.

Unfortunately, in challenging economic times, people also tend to go for the slightly cheaper mainland eggs, not understanding the benefits to buying local.

Egg Handling and Storage

Refrigerate eggs promptly after buying, and never leave at room temperature. Eggs will age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the refrigerator.

Wash eggs only immediately before using them, since the shells are porous and you want to protect your eggs from unnecessary exposure to bacteria.

Keep eggs in the carton they came to ensure a sterile and protected environment for your eggs while in your refrigerator. The carton protects them from collisions, falls and absorbing odors from nearby food.

Recognizing freshness: Once cracked open, a fresh egg will still hold its shape and bounce, it doesn't spread thin; the white of the egg is thick and cloudy, while the yolk stands high and firm

Comments from Readers

Hilo Gal on 4/18/2009 at 4:09pm

I was one of those shoppers who bought mainland eggs to save a few pennies. No more. I'll buy local now.
Desiree on 4/21/2009 at 8:45pm

Fresh local eggs will soon be available at the Waianae Farmers' Market which opens on Saturday, May 2 at 8:30 am at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. These eggs are produced by Maili Moa, a farmer owned company in Waianae. Both white and brown eggs will be for sale. Please join us at the grand opening! Hope to see you there!
Dan Nakasone on 5/8/2009 at 2:44pm

Actually, locally raised eggs have no antibiotics. Visit www.islandfresheggs.com and get information on the four remaining Hawaii commercial egg farms and the families who run them. The site also includes a listing of where to buy local eggs. You can either buy eggs directly off the farm or go to the local supermarkets. The site does specify which brands to look for at the market and you can download a map to your nearest family run farm.
Lisa Asagi on 5/8/2009 at 9:55pm

Thank you for this great article. We are so lucky that our egg farms here in Hawaii are still family owned and operated, and the traditions of raising in Hawaii are being kept alive by these generations. No factory farming here. Over these past 25 years we've lost over 17 egg farms, we're down to 4 farms now. This makes this article even more important. Mahalo for shining your spotlight on local eggs.
MHansen on 6/24/2009 at 12:09pm

I just saw the commercial on TV for local goods. Mostly I was excited to learn that we can buy 3 day old fresh eggs. My dad raised his own chicken of course way back in the 50's in our neighborhood lucky us. All we ate was eggs right from the chicken coop. How lucky, my sisters and I talk about tht a lot lately. Good fresh eggs right when they are from the coop. Wow. I will purchase fresh eggs from now on. There is a definite difference in the taste of fresh eggs. Aloha
Cynthia on 8/5/2010 at 6:54pm

Glad I saw this link go through my Twitter stream. I'm going to go home and make some Big Island deviled eggs for dinner! There is such an obvious difference between fresh/local and mainland eggs. Appreciate the reminder to treasure our resources!