renmew Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I recently had to begin buying organic only as far as meat and eggs for my son. I shop at a couple different places, depending on which is more convenient for me at the time. This morning I happened to look at the cartons to see where the eggs came from. I need help deciding which brand to continue buying. First I bought eggs from Trader Joe's, a healthy food chain. They were the cheapest organic eggs I tried, but the carton claims they were packaged in South Pasadena, which is a couple towns over, but... I am pretty sure there are no egg farms there. It is a large suburban neighborhood five minutes from downtown L.A. Then I bought organic eggs from Vons, our large chain store. Here the organic eggs were more expensive, but they come from central California. So, not shipped too far, as I live in Los Angeles. Last, I bought the organic eggs at Target. I almost never grocery shop there, but I had a gift card and am broke. The eggs were priced just a bit above Trader Joe's, but were from Iowa. These were the eggs I was using this morning and about had a heart attack, since that is not very environmentally friendly to be shipping eggs across the country. Which eggs should I continue to buy? Price is important, but since the difference between the most expensive and the least is not outrageous, either works for me. I worry that the cheaper eggs from South Pasadena are only packaged there and who really knows how far they traveled to get there. It's an unknown part of the equation. The second part - how do you find out where to buy organic eggs local from a farmer? We have farmers' markets, but the eggs there should be dipped in gold for their prices. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiredmommyof8 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) Have you tried looking here: http://www.localharvest.org/ . You might be able to find local items here. I live across the country from you but there has to be a location for you to find local eggs, produce, etc. Good luck. I came back to add that I pay approx $4.25 a dozen for organic eggs from the grocery store that I really don't know where they came from or $4.00 a dozen from a local farmer. Edited February 20, 2012 by tiredmommyof8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeneralMom Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Honestly, check craigslist in your area. My area has tons of people selling pastured eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renmew Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Have you tried looking here: http://www.localharvest.org/ . You might be able to find local items here. I live across the country from you but there has to be a location for you to find local eggs, produce, etc. Good luck. I came back to add that I pay approx $4.25 a dozen for organic eggs from the grocery store that I really don't know where they came from or $4.00 a dozen from a local farmer. There are more farmers' markets around than I knew. I will visit some of them in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the link!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in Florida Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 If possible raise your own backyard flock. :001_smile: I loved my backyard hens. If that is not feasible ask at a local feed store they can probably hook you up with a local chicken person. People with hobby flocks often have extra eggs to sell to offset feed costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Another vote for pastured eggs and a vote for the link to localharvest. We have organic egg farms in my area. The chickens are still confined to a big barn. They aren't outdoors scratching for insects, etc. I think truly pastured eggs are the best bet nutritionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renmew Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 If possible raise your own backyard flock. :001_smile: I loved my backyard hens.If that is not feasible ask at a local feed store they can probably hook you up with a local chicken person. People with hobby flocks often have extra eggs to sell to offset feed costs. I don't know if I can, honestly. I should check the local laws. My backyard is fine for kids running around, but isn't really that big. Good ideas, though, especially about checking at the one local feed store we do have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Honestly, check craigslist in your area. My area has tons of people selling pastured eggs. :iagree: We raise are own, but I always see ads on craigslist. Here is little hint: some people who sell eggs will take less for white than for brown. Nutritionally they are the same (when from the same flock). Sellers have a difficult time convincing people that white pasture/organic eggs are as healthy as brown :tongue_smilie: I have three hens right now. They are presently giving me three eggs a day. You really should look into your own backyard flock. You do not need a rooster. I bough my three hens as adults that were already laying, so there was no wait for chicks to grow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renmew Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 :iagree: We raise are own, but I always see ads on craigslist. Here is little hint: some people who sell eggs will take less for white than for brown. Nutritionally they are the same (when from the same flock). Sellers have a difficult time convincing people that white pasture/organic eggs are as healthy as brown :tongue_smilie: I have three hens right now. They are presently giving me three eggs a day. You really should look into your own backyard flock. You do not need a rooster. I bough my three hens as adults that were already laying, so there was no wait for chicks to grow up. I've just checked the laws. My backyard is too small, but my mom's isn't. She lives just one block away, so I might be able to convince her to try. Next, I'm looking at craiglist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajunrose Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I have my own flock (7 hens) also...but I do agree that pastured hens lay the best tasting eggs...they don't necessarily need to be organic. I know plenty of people that feed organic feed but the chicken never sees green grass. Some organic eggs from the store have a yellow yolk. Most pastured (non-organic) eggs will have a bright orange...those have the most vitamins. Search craigslist and feed stores. My mom's feed store sells eggs right from the store from local pastured hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renmew Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Craigslist didn't have anything, so we're taking a field trip to the feed store!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Here's a link that rates organic eggs: http://www.cornucopia.org/organic-egg-scorecard/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Here's a link that rates organic eggs:http://www.cornucopia.org/organic-egg-scorecard/ Thank you for posting that link. I was disappointed to see Whole Foods store brand in the lowest rating category. I may ask about that next time I am in the store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renmew Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Trader Joe's was in the lowest category as well. I think it is just best to go local and small scale. Now that I've been looking around online at backyard chicken laws, my google ads on the other forum I frequent have changed to chicken pens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) If you're in LA, have your tried The Farmer's Market/The Grove? at 3rd and Fairfax Ave? There is a woman ouside with the local sellers who has great pastured eggs. She is super- nice and has good information. Just being there makes me happy. Edited February 20, 2012 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renmew Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 If you're in LA, have your tried The Farmer's Market/The Grove? at 3rd and Fairfax Ave? There is a woman ouside with the local sellers who has great pastured eggs. She is super- nice and has good information. Just being there makes me happy. Too far to drive. At that point, the Von's semi-local eggs would be the better deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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