Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier took to the podium on Tuesday to announce that nearly 6 million eggs will be delivered to food banks and pantries across the state — including Central Florida.
While the news may seem strange at first glance, Uthmeier explained that the deliveries stem from a nationwide settlement revolving around higher checkout prices for many customers in the Sunshine State.
More specifically, the settlement follows a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of several states.
WHAT’S THAT CASE ABOUT?
In a release, state officials said the investigation look at how daily price quotations published by market reporter Urner Barry affected what grocers — and thus consumers — pay for eggs, as well as whether Urner Barry was manipulated by certain egg producers.
“The vast majority of conventional eggs sold by egg producers nationwide are tied to that benchmark,” the release reads. “When that number climbs, breakfast costs more.”
The investigation ultimately led to the settlement, with Florida receiving a monetary payment of just under $350,000 for antitrust enforcement and consumer protection.
WHAT ABOUT THE EGGS?
As part of the settlement, Cal-Maine Foods — which operates in the state — is providing Florida with a delivery of 5.67 million Grade A eggs, which began in July and will conclude this week, state officials noted.
Per the release, these eggs are being distributed through Feeding Florida’s nine affiliate food banks, which serve all 67 counties across the state.
Uthmeier also emphasized that the deliveries will come at no cost to food banks or taxpayers.
A total of 21 truckloads of eggs will be allocated to these food banks as follows:
| Food Bank/Pantry | No. of Truckloads | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding South Florida | 5 | Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach |
| Feeding Tampa Bay | 4 | Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida | 4 | Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia |
| Second Harvest of the Big Bend | 2 | Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla |
| Feeding Northeast Florida | 2 | Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Union |
| All Faiths Food Bank | 1 | DeSoto, Sarasota |
| Feeding the Gulf Coast | 1 | Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Washington |
| Harry Chapin Food Bank | 1 | Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee |
| Treasure Coast Food Bank | 1 | Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie |
“The settlement also includes five years of rules designed to keep grocery egg prices honest going forward,” the release concludes. “Bidding and trading decisions must be grounded in legitimate business needs. Each company must designate an antitrust compliance officer. Government agencies retain the right to inspect records and interview personnel.”