In Video: Egg robbery caught on camera
Egg Crisis Reaches New Heights: Breakfast Bandits and Backyard Chicken Farmers Step Up
The drama over the country’s egg crisis has reached new heights, with brazen robberies and creative solutions emerging as Americans scramble to find eggs in the midst of a nationwide shortage.
Breakfast Bandits on the Loose
In Western Seattle, a group of thieves, dubbed the "Breakfast Bandits," made off with three cases of eggs from a local cafe, leaving the owner and customers stunned. The Seattle Police Department is now asking for the public’s help to correct the case, which is believed to be part of a larger trend of egg thefts across the country.
Egg Shortage Worsens
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, authorities are still searching for those behind the theft of 100,000 eggs from a processing plant last week. The heist has left grocery stores with empty shelves, and national chain Trader Joe’s has been forced to limit shoppers to just one dozen eggs per day. TikTok videos have captured the desperation of Costco customers across the country, clamoring to buy eggs in bulk.
Bird Flu Ravages Nation’s Egg Supply
The spread of bird flu, also known as avian flu, has ravaged the nation’s egg supply, with more than 156 million poultry birds affected across the US since the start of 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported over 20 outbreaks in the first five days of this month alone. As a result, the average price of eggs across the country has soared to over $7 per dozen.
Backyard Chicken Farmers Step Up
In South Florida, backyard chicken farmer Tracy S has turned her hobby into a business, selling fresh eggs to desperate customers. "We will sell out probably before lunch," she said, as customers lined up to buy eggs. With many grocery stores struggling to keep eggs on the shelves, backyard chicken farmers like S are finding new ways to meet the demand.
Creative Solutions Emerge
As the egg shortage continues to worsen, Americans are getting creative in their search for eggs. Some are turning to online marketplaces or social media groups to buy eggs from local farmers or backyard chicken enthusiasts. Others are deciding to create their own egg supply, renting chickens or even building backyard chicken coops.
Egg Crisis Not Over Easy
For now, it seems the egg crisis is far from over. As George Siss, a backyard chicken farmer, told NBC News, "We’re super busy. Phones are ringing, our online inquiry form is filling up quickly." With the nation’s egg supply still under threat from bird flu, it’s clear that the drama over the country’s egg crisis will continue to unfold in the coming weeks and months.
