By Carie Moore
As farmers and large quantity egg eaters, we raised chickens when the bird flu epidemic was happening and other issues increased the cost of eggs. I was asked this week if we still have chickens. My reply was, “When I can buy a case of 60 eggs for under $5, it’s not financially worth it. I’d rather support a farm struggling because the prices are so low.”
Besides that, Carie has never met a rooster that she got along with. I’m all about teaching my children responsibilities and animal care, but after 2 years and a major coop overhaul, we still lost our flock due to mink. That is NOT a pretty sight to see in the morning when you go to the barn. The first time a chicken made it unscathed, she became our lucky Lucy. Since it was winter, and the coop was not an option, Lucy quickly adapted and took over the basement. Then she made her way upstairs; a chicken in the bathroom is a much bigger surprise than someone just leaving the lid up!!
I am also teaching my children about want, need, and money management. I am an admitted “penny pincher” and it takes me a significant amount of time to purchase any item. If there is a deal, I will find it! It might mean waiting a month but then I know it’s truly something I want/need and I know my hard-earned money was money well spent.
Farmers and ranchers (like any good business) are continually looking at where to cut costs without sacrificing food safety. The same goes for feeding your family: lowest possible cost without sacrificing nutrition.
I was in the store last week buying eggs. I grabbed my case and put it in my cart as a lady passed me and grabbed a 12 pack of organic, cage free eggs (organic and cage free each have their own qualifications that don’t match what people perceive they mean). I looked quickly at the tag and it was almost $5.
I’m truly about supporting all farmers, but my #1 goal is to feed my family, the most flexible and nutritious meals possible, on a budget. If I was buying half a product at double the price, my kids would be hungry, filling up on snacks when I’m not looking, and my grocery budget would be shot. Some days my kids have 3 ham and egg sandwiches. I couldn’t afford to feed them $5 eggs.
I know food shaming happens. I probably get shamed when I throw 5 party pizzas in my cart, but hey, we all need those fast, easy meals for those days nothing went as planned or it was over-planned.
Speaking mom to mom, just don’t get caught up in food trends. They come and go as trends tend to do. Especially know you don’t have to sacrifice your budget or your family’s meal needs for these trends and labels. Your family is more important than anyone else and so is feeding them. The U.S. food supply – whether it’s organic, GMO, conventionally raised, free-range, or hormone free – is all safe and healthy for your family.