BC Egg Producers Launch Eggonomics to Reveal Hidden Costs of Buying Staple in US
VANCOUVER, Sept. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The BC Egg Marketing Board (BCEMB) has embarked on a province-wide campaign to put the economic impact of cross-border shopping into clear perspective for consumers. The initiative, entitled Eggonomics, reveals sober new data about the impact of heading south of the border to purchase eggs, a staple on most grocery lists.
Eggonomics, hosted online at http://eggonomics.ca, arms consumers with surprising facts to encourage US-bound shoppers to think twice about the source of their eggs.
"Smaller farms, a hands-on approach to rearing hens, and a proven track record of safety and reliability all unite to make BC Eggs an exceptional value for consumers," says Al Sakalauskas, Executive Director of the BC Egg Marketing Board. "When BC shoppers bring US eggs into the province, there are consequences that go well beyond the financial bottom line of egg producers. Eggonomics is our way of putting this impact into meaningful terms for consumers."
A 2012 report prepared by investigative economists at Canadian accountancy firm MNP reveals that nearly two million dozen US eggs (24,000,000) enter British Columbia every year, costing the province more than $3,100,000 CDN in forfeited GDP.1 The report also drew from expansive retail sales data to demonstrate a strong correlation between a consumer's proximity to a US border and a decline in that consumer's purchase of domestic eggs.
For most consumers, it is easy to overlook the broader impacts of the immediate, short-term cost savings of purchasing staple items in the US. But economic losses to the BC Egg industry translate into less money for publicly funded programs. Health care, law enforcement, public education and social programs all suffer when BC residents spend their money outside of the province.
To help drive this point home in a memorable way, the BCEMB created a life-sized fire truck made entirely out of egg cartons, on display until Thursday, September 20th at the Southwest corner of Granville Street and West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver.
"Ultimately, we're talking about a cost savings of less than a dollar per carton on eggs purchased in the United States," continues Sakalauskas. "But for every dollar saved, there is a ripple effect that ends up costing consumers even more. The egg carton fire truck we constructed is a striking symbol of what remains, for the most part, the hidden cost of cross-border shopping."
About the BC Egg Marketing Board:
The BC Egg Marketing Board is a non-profit organization that is represented by approximately 138 small, family-owned and operated egg farms. These farmers support an industry that feeds its neighbours by providing what could be best described as the perfect food. Our farms are small and this creates a greater connection to the birds that lay the eggs. A more intimate, understandable scale of farming means real people are making responsible decisions about their animals and their welfare. Our eggs are produced in a manner that reflects the spirit of responsibility, accountability, and integrity of all our stakeholders. Our eggs meet or exceed consumer expectations for safety, quality, health and nutrition, choice, the treatment and welfare of birds, and protection of the environment. Our farms operate independently, without government subsidies, and with respect for resources and the products they produce. As a local business egg farmers support our commitment and thus we are able to create a stronger, more viable economy for our current and future generations.
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1 Average Annual Economic Impact of Lost Egg Sales in BC. MNP LLP, 2012.
Image with caption: "More than 20,000 egg cartons comprise this fire truck, which was created by the BC Egg Marketing Board to symbolize the hidden costs of cross-border egg shopping. Every year, nearly two million dozen US eggs are brought into BC, resulting in $3.1M in forfeited GDP for the province. (CNW Group/BC Egg Marketing Board)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120919_C7695_PHOTO_EN_18086.jpg
SOURCE: BC Egg Marketing Board
For more information on Eggonomics or the BC Egg Marketing Board, please contact:
Al Sakalauskas
Executive Director
BC EGG MARKETING BOARD
604-761-5549 (cell)
[email protected]
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