By Lookout Staff

January 19, 2023 -- The Westside Food Bank (WSFB) is scrambling to find eggs amid soaring prices and scare supplies nationwide, the Santa Monica-based non-profit said Thursday.

The Food Bank -- which helps feed more than 112,000 area households -- has already reduced egg purchases as the average price of a dozen eggs in the U.S. has more than doubled over the past year.

The 42-year-old food bank cut egg purchases by 20 percent in November and by 50 percent in December and is now "pivoting to less expensive protein sources, like beans and canned fish and meats," officials said.

“It is unfortunate that such an essential item is not as readily available as it once was,” said Genevieve Riutort, WSFB's president and CEO.

“This is such a key ingredient in homes and not being able to provide that to the families we serve breaks my heart,” said Riutort, who has experienced "food and housing insecurity."

The food bank has had to turn to retail establishments instead of wholesale food brokers, "but most of the time, there isn’t anything available, or the order comes short," officials said.

"WSFB recently ordered 720 cartons of eggs from a big-box store, but supply chain challenges meant they could only provide 100 cartons."

Soaring egg prices are the result of inflation and an avian flu outbreak that has drastically cut supply, experts said.

The average price of eggs in the U.S. last month reached $4.25 for a dozen Grade A large eggs, the highest recorded price since 1980.

Eggs have become so expensive that between October 1 to December 31, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a 108 percent jump in seized egg products and poultry at ports of entry.

The Westside Food Bank is encouraging members of the community to help provide nutritious food for the needy by donating on its website, wsfb.org/donatenow.