Over the past two months, the average price for a dozen large eggs has surged by over 15%, according to AP News. Just two months ago, in December, a dozen on average cost $4.15, while this month, on average, eggs cost $4.95. However, that’s the national average. In Hinsdale, at Kramers Food, a popular grocery store in the area, a dozen eggs range from $5.69 to $11.99.
“A single egg shouldn’t cost a dollar, I have eggs for breakfast every Saturday morning, and if I’m paying 12 dollars for a dozen eggs, I might as well go get a meal at a restaurant, and have a chef make my eggs,” said Oscar Katsoulis, senior. “It’d be the same price anyways.”
Eggs are a crucial part of many students’ diets. They are an efficient and easy way to get protein, and for students who take health and weight lifting seriously, eggs are a staple of their everyday meals.
“I lift weights everyday, and to make sure I get enough protein, I eat at least two eggs a day. This price increase is insane. I shop at Whole Foods because I live by one and they are charging eight to nine dollars for a carton of 12 eggs,” said Isaiah Menendez, senior. “When they used to charge five to six, a two dollar increase doesn’t seem like a lot, but with how many eggs I eat, it adds up over time.”
According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, egg prices are increasing because of the bird flu epidemic. Bird flu, otherwise known as avian flu, causes chickens to lay fewer eggs and kills chickens. This disease spreads, decimates flocks, and dwindles the egg supply nationally. Businesses are being forced to surge their prices so they can keep their own doors open until the bird flu epidemic passes.
According to the CDC, the avian flu can also spread to humans but can’t spread from person to person. However, some Hinsdale Central students are concerned about it.
“It’s scary to think that I could get sick from a bird, or a chicken,” said Caitlyn Peterson, senior. “The egg price thing doesn’t really bother me because I can’t eat eggs, I’m more concerned about getting sick.”
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