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Chefs and farmers share their appreciation for local eggs

Chefs and culinary leaders are influential voices in our food system. Recognizing the many shared values between Canadian egg farmers and the culinary community, we set out to offer opportunities to bring them together.

Think of it like a two-way dialogue where the culinary community shares why they are passionate about fresh, local ingredients and how these inspire creative dishes. In return, farmers share an inside look at what goes into producing those favourite ingredients.

An example of this work in action is our Chef to Farm event held in Freetown, PEI, co-hosted by Egg Farmers of Canada ambassador Chef Craig Flinn and PEI egg farmers Nathan and Wendy Burns.

Chef Flinn has a deep appreciation for fresh, local ingredients. “Eggs are not only one of my favourite food items, they’re also a staple in my kitchen,” he says. “Farms like Wendy and Nathan’s provide the fresh ingredients that are so important in our kitchens. They also play a key role in supporting our food economy and community.”

It comes as no surprise that the humble egg is a favourite ingredient among Canadian chefs. Eggs are simple and versatile, making them both a key ingredient and a showstopper.

The event featured dishes inspired by local ingredients, including eggs, and an opportunity to connect with egg farmers.

The unique gathering paired a master class in creative food preparation—like gnocchi carbonara with pancetta, peas and PEI scallops—with an enlightening educational session. During the session attendees learned what it’s like to be an egg farmer and how eggs are produced with sustainable farming practices through in-person discussion and a virtual egg farm tour.

Here’s a snapshot of what the group discussed:

The Canadian approach to egg farming

Canada’s innovative system of supply management is a cornerstone of the future of farming. The system matches Canadian demand with made-in-Canada eggs and means Canadians have access to a consistent supply of fresh, local and high-quality eggs, while ensuring farmers earn a fair return for their work.

“As a Canadian egg farmer, I’m proud to provide my community with a constant supply of fresh, local and high-quality eggs,” says Nathan Burns. “They’re a staple in kitchens and restaurants here in PEI and across Canada.”

Egg farmers Nathan and Wendy Burns shared a virtual tour of their egg farm.

Egg farmers are leaders in sustainability

The Burns family works hard to continuously integrate on-farm improvements. “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do every day. We are constantly looking to build on our farming practices and find new ways to reduce waste at our farm,” explains Nathan.

Egg farmers are creating even more environmentally friendly farming practices, which is driven by research and innovation. Egg Farmers of Canada recently announced our commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as the next step in the Canadian egg farming industry’s sustainability journey.

The group enjoyed a meal made with fresh, local, high-quality eggs.

Canada’s more than 1,200 egg farmers are proud to deliver high-quality eggs from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Their dedication delivers the eggs that inspire mouth-watering culinary creations.

Follow the #CheftoFarm hashtag on social media to keep up to speed on our most recent collaborations with Canada’s culinary leaders. For more on the recent Chef to Farm event, see our story in Foodservice & Hospitality.