CHICAGO (April 16, 2026)— American Egg Board (AEB) today announced that President and CEO Emily Metz has been named Ag Association Leader of the Year by the National Agri-Marketing Association. Metz was recognized on April 16 during the organization’s 2026 Agri-Marketing Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

The award recognizes senior executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership within agricultural organizations and associations.

The recognition comes at a defining moment for America’s egg producers. In just the past week, AEB secured national visibility at the highest levels — with the White House and two cabinet members, including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, appearing on Fox and Friends to amplify the message that eggs are ‘God’s most perfect food’ and celebrate the farmers who produce them. That visibility translated into 26 billion media impressions across national, local and social media networks, putting the story of American egg producers in front of consumers nationwide.

As CEO of AEB, Metz transformed the organization by repositioning it as a modern, data-driven checkoff grounded in analytics, consumer insight and measurable performance. Early in her tenure with AEB, she established a more disciplined, results-oriented approach to strategy and investment, strengthening how the organization delivers value to America’s egg producers. Today, AEB programs generate more than $10 in returned revenue to farmers for every dollar invested on behalf of U.S. egg producers.

Her leadership has also advanced innovation across the egg industry, including the launch of the Eggcelerator Lab, the industry’s first dedicated innovation center. This September, the Lab will bring its first patented egg cooking device to market, a milestone that signals checkoff’s growing role in driving commercial innovation for producers.

Metz’s commitment to the industry’s future was further affirmed when AEB’s producer community voted in October to unanimously approve a 100 percent assessment increase, doubling the investment from $0.10 to $0.20 per case over the next eight years. The unanimous vote reflects the trust producers have placed in AEB’s direction and their confidence in the returns their investment delivers.

“Emily’s leadership has earned the trust of this industry in a way that is rare. The unanimous vote to double our investment is a direct reflection of what producers see every day — results, accountability and a CEO who fights for them. This recognition is well deserved,” said Andy Seger, chairman of American Egg Board.

Metz’s leadership has also been especially critical during periods of disruption. Through multiple waves of highly pathogenic avian influenza, she guided the U.S. egg industry with a focus on preparedness, transparency and coordinated communication, strengthening the industry’s ability to maintain consumer trust when it mattered most. By pivoting resources and repositioning staff, Metz ensured that AEB could support the industry with cutting-edge disease research and on-farm assistance at the time when farmers needed it most.

“I’m honored to receive this award and incredibly proud of the work that AEB has done on behalf of America’s egg farmers,” said Emily Metz. “My greatest responsibility is safeguarding the dollars that our farmers have invested into AEB and ensuring that every single one delivers a return. That drives me each and every day, and I’m so proud of our team and how they operate at the speed of business and deliver meaningful value back to our producers.”

The post American Egg Board CEO Emily Metz Named Ag Association Leader of the Year appeared first on American Egg Board.

Washington, D.C. (April 7, 2026) – The American Egg Board (AEB) and United Egg Producers (UEP) today hosted a special lunch-and-learn event for congressional staff on Capitol Hill in celebration of National Egg Salad Week (April 6–12). The event was also attended by White House Senior Advisor Calley Means, who provided remarks.

The program opened with an educational session led by AEB offering a comprehensive look at modern egg farming and production. Speakers included third-generation egg farmer Sam Krouse, co-CEO of MPS Egg Farms (North Manchester, Indiana); veterinarian Dr. Craig Rowles, vice president of special projects at Versova (Sioux Center, Iowa), who provided an update on highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu); University of Arkansas agricultural economist Dr. Jada Thompson, who outlined key egg industry economic dynamics; and Dr. Mickey Rubin, executive director of the AEB’s Egg Nutrition Center, who highlighted the exceptional nutritional benefits of eggs.

The session was followed by a legislative briefing from UEP, presented by second-generation egg farmer and UEP Chairman J.T. Dean, president of Versova, who offered insight into current policy issues impacting egg producers.

Attendees enjoyed a classic egg salad lunch, followed by an ice cream social featuring a high-protein vanilla custard developed by the AEB’s Eggcelerator Lab.

“Eggs are on a roll — figuratively and literally, with 40,000 real eggs on the South Lawn of the White House yesterday,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “The past year has reinforced just how essential eggs are in Americans’ daily lives. We’re proud to share our farmers’ story and expertise, and the joy of egg salad, on Capitol Hill. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans say it best: eat real food — and it doesn’t get any more real than eggs.”

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to engage with congressional staff and share the critical challenges facing America’s egg farmers,” said Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. “At a time when food production is more important than ever, strong, supportive actions of our nation’s policy makers are essential to secure a thriving egg industry for the future. From our farms to America’s tables, egg farming is a commitment to nourishing America, and food security is national security.”

The event capped a busy week for America’s egg farmers that began with a visit by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to Braswell Family Farms (Nashville, North Carolina), followed by a press event at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. where Secretary Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy and White House Senior Advisor Calley Means announced a $1 million investment by America’s egg farmers in innovation programs to expand access to egg-based options in schools. In tandem, a nationwide spring egg donation effort led by AEB in partnership with HATCH for Hunger (Carmel, Indiana) has delivered nearly 10 million eggs directly from egg farmers to food banks. The activities culminated with AEB’s annual partnership on the White House Easter Egg Roll, where more than 150 egg farmers and their families and 40,000 real eggs were featured on the South Lawn.

###

About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.

About United Egg Producers (UEP)

United Egg Producers (UEP) is a cooperative of U.S. egg farmers working collaboratively to address legislative, regulatory and advocacy issues impacting the industry through active farmer-member leadership, a unified voice and partnership across the agriculture community. Formed in 1968, UEP members represent about 95 percent of U.S. egg production. For more, visit UnitedEgg.com.

The post American Egg Board and United Egg Producers Host Capitol Hill Luncheon for National Egg Salad Week appeared first on American Egg Board.

Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2026) – America’s egg farmers and the eggs Americans love played a starring “roll” today on the South Lawn at the 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll, continuing nearly 50 years of partnership supporting this cherished national tradition in a milestone year marking America’s 250th anniversary. The celebration was brought to life with support from the American Egg Board (AEB), a legacy partner, highlighting the essential role eggs play in Easter festivities and honoring the hardworking farmers who produce them.

More than 60,000 real eggs went into making the 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll an event to remember, spanning traditional South Lawn activities and delicious egg-centered food served to guests. This year’s event featured nearly 40,000 hand-dyed and plain hard-boiled real eggs on the South Lawn, donated on behalf of America’s egg farmers by Braswell Family Farms (Nashville, N.C.), for beloved activities including iconic egg roll races, egg hunts and egg decorating. An additional 17,000 real whole eggs and 20 gallons of egg yolks starred in a variety of egg-inspired bites served to guests on the South Lawn at the Liberty Café, courtesy of the American Egg Board.

More than 150 egg farmers and their families traveled to Washington to take part in the celebration, volunteering across South Lawn activities and offering guests a unique opportunity to connect directly with the people who produce their food. Farmer-led attractions included AEB’s signature interactive “Hen-to-Home” exhibit, which showcases the egg’s journey from farm to table. The exhibit was supported by the United Soybean Board, whose crops play a vital role in feeding the hens that produce more than 90 billion eggs for Americans each year. In a special highlight, the exhibit quite literally came to life for the first time with 150 live chicks, delighting guests of all ages.

Notable visitors to “Hen to Home” included U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who spent time with egg and soy farmers and their families and recognized their dedication to producing the nutritious, affordable eggs Americans rely on every day.

“You can’t have a White House Easter Egg Roll without real eggs,” said Secretary Rollins. “This is a perfect opportunity to highlight what an incredible source of protein eggs are for American families. Eggs are as real as food gets — farm-fresh, completely natural, minimally processed and a source of eight essential nutrients. In the new Dietary Guidelines, eggs are listed first among the recommended proteins, and that’s a big deal.”

“Our farmers are tremendously honored by Secretary Rollins’ visit and grateful for the opportunity to share their stories and the incredibly nutritious and versatile eggs they produce with Americans at the heart of such a treasured national tradition,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “Americans love eggs. They’re indispensable to our daily lives, and today on the South Lawn, it’s clear that Easter truly is the egg’s Super Bowl.”

During his annual remarks from the South Lawn balcony, President Donald Trump said:

“This is about eggs. Today we have more than 40,000 eggs being supplied by all of the great egg farmers here in the U.S. and I want to thank all of the egg farmers that are here.”

Joined by First Lady Melania Trump and the Easter Bunny, the president’s remarks highlighted the central role of eggs in the White House Easter Egg Roll and the importance of farmers to the daily lives of Americans.

Continuing a long-standing tradition, the American Egg Board also presented the First Lady’s Commemorative Egg, marking the 49th edition of the one-of-a-kind work of art honoring the First Lady. The 2026 Commemorative Egg, presented to First Lady Melania Trump on behalf of America’s egg farmers, was crafted using the traditional Pysanky technique and blends time-honored symbolism with bold American imagery to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

This year’s First Lady’s Commemorative Egg is the sixth honoring Mrs. Trump, with predecessors also proudly displayed at this year’s White House Easter Egg Roll.

# # #

About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.

The post America’s Egg Farmers, 40,000 Eggs and Nearly 50 Years of Tradition Shine at White House Easter Egg Roll appeared first on American Egg Board.

Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2026)— The American Egg Board (AEB) today unveiled the 2026 First Lady’s Commemorative Egg honoring First Lady Melania Trump and continuing a nearly five-decade national Easter tradition on behalf of America’s egg farmers. The 49^th First Lady’s Commemorative Egg blends historic symbolism with bold American imagery to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and will be presented to Mrs. Trump at the 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll on April 6.

“It is a privilege and a joy for America’s egg farmers to continue this nearly 50-year tradition celebrating our nation’s First Ladies,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “We are thrilled to present the 2026 First Lady’s Commemorative Egg to Melania Trump at the White House Easter Egg Roll, honoring her patriotism and leadership as America’s First Lady — especially as we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Eggs are the cornerstone of spring celebrations, and America’s egg farmers are proud of the egg’s prominent place in our traditions and in our everyday lives.”

Capturing Patriotism, Pride and the Spirit of the Season

Created by master egg artist Mark Malachowski of Berea, Ohio, the 2026 First Lady’s Commemorative Egg was crafted using the traditional Pysanky technique, an intricate wax resist method passed down through generations. In tribute to America’s semiquincentennial, the years “1776” and “2026” are prominently featured. One side displays an American eagle with wings outstretched, while the other depicts the Betsy Ross flag, symbolizing the nation’s founding.

Encircling the egg is a continuous band of red and blue stars rendered in the precise, geometric style characteristic of Pysanky design, complemented by flowing wave motifs representing progress across 250 years of American history. A delicate application of gold after the final waxing stage provides a luminous finishing touch befitting this historic milestone.

The 2026 First Lady’s Commemorative Egg is the sixth created in honor of Mrs. Trump. Previous eggs celebrating themes of resilience, kindness and courage — reflecting the First Lady’s “Be Best” and “Foster the Future” initiatives — will be on display at the 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll.

America’s Egg Farmers and the White House Easter Egg Roll: A History of Partnership

For nearly 50 years, America’s egg farmers have proudly partnered with the White House and the White House Historical Association to support the White House Easter Egg Roll — America’s national Easter celebration and the White House’s largest annual public event.

This year, approximately 40,000 real, hand-dyed and plain, hard-boiled eggs, donated by America’s egg farmers, will be used on the South Lawn for egg hunts, decorating activities and the iconic Egg Roll race. Eggs are also featured across culinary offerings throughout the event, underscoring their vital role in springtime celebrations.

“America’s egg farmers are immensely proud to be part of this treasured tradition each year,” Metz said. “As a legacy partner of the White House Easter Egg Roll, we’re honored that real eggs are a centerpiece of this iconic celebration on the South Lawn and in homes across America. During the Easter season alone, Americans decorate and enjoy nearly three billion eggs, making them an essential part of the foods, traditions and memories we cherish each spring.”

# # #

About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.

About the First Lady’s Commemorative Egg Tradition

For nearly 50 years, the American Egg Board, on behalf of America’s egg farmers, has honored America’s First Lady at Easter by presenting the First Lady’s Commemorative Egg — a cherished springtime tradition that began in 1977. Each First Lady’s Commemorative Egg is hand-crafted from an actual chicken egg and transformedby a specialized egg artist. These intricate works of art may become part of the First Lady’s personal collection or be housed in a presidential library, preserved by the National Archives and Records Administration. For photos and history, visit IncredibleEgg.org/Commemorative-Egg.

The post American Egg Board Unveils 49th First Lady’s Commemorative Egg to be Presented at 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll appeared first on American Egg Board.

Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2026) — In the days ahead of Easter, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins gathered senior federal leaders including U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and White House Senior Advisor Calley Means as well as agricultural stakeholders at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to discuss the critical role eggs play in feeding America’s children a nutritious breakfast. The American Egg Board (AEB), on behalf of America’s egg farmers, announced a $1 million investment in innovation, research, and partnerships that expand access to egg-based breakfast options in schools nationwide.

The announcement comes as the new Dietary Guidelines place eggs at the top of the protein pyramid and the FDA’s Healthy Food designation confirms what farmers and nutritionists have long known: eggs are an inherently healthy food that supports overall health and lifelong wellbeing.

“America’s egg farmers are proud of the eggs we produce, and we are grateful to Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for their support of real food and America’s farmers,” said Andrew Seger, chairman of the American Egg Board and chief financial officer of Wabash Valley Foods. “We want to support our children in having a protein-packed breakfast that fuels them all day and promotes their brain development. Eggs are the solution — and we are putting our money where our mission is.”

“This is a perfect opportunity to highlight what an incredible source of protein eggs are for American families, especially as we’re rewriting what it means to eat real food and make America healthy again,” said Secretary Rollins. “Eggs are as real as food gets — farm-fresh, completely natural, minimally processed and a source of eight essential nutrients. In the new Dietary Guidelines, eggs are listed first among the recommended proteins, and that’s a big deal.”

“We have flipped the food pyramid and eggs are up top,” said Secretary Kennedy. “Eggs are a wonderful, clean source of protein. They help kids with focus, brain development, eye health, and two eggs are cheaper than the donut kids get in schools. This is a wonderful source of American-made protein for the American table and we are very, very proud to be part of this effort.”

“With the food pyramid, we started asking common-sense questions like, ‘Can we get more high-protein, whole foods into government procurement programs such as school lunches and military meals?’” said Means. “Right now, it’s true that children are not getting whole-food, high-protein breakfasts. Hard-boiled eggs and innovations like egg bites can be at the same price or lower than the food we’re currently serving our children.”

The $1 million investment will fund a comprehensive effort to make eggs more accessible, convenient, and affordable for school meal programs across the country. AEB is developing new recipes, testing how schools can adapt existing cooking equipment to prepare eggs, partnering with school districts to execute egg-based breakfast pilot programs, and developing new affordable egg products specifically designed for school kitchens through its Eggcelerator Lab innovation center.

“School districts need affordable, efficient, and easy-to-implement breakfast options to feed their growing populations, and eggs deliver on every count,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “This $1 million commitment is about unlocking new ideas, new partnerships, and new pathways to ensure more children can start their day with the high-quality protein they need. The new Dietary Guidelines say it best: eat real food. And eggs from America’s farmers are as real as it gets.”

America’s Egg Farmers Deliver for Families Facing Hunger

The event also celebrated the success of a nationwide egg donation drive led by America’s egg farmers through AEB in partnership with HATCH. In just weeks, the initiative delivered more than 9.7 million eggs to food banks nationwide, expanding access to high-quality protein for families facing food insecurity.

“Eggs are one of the most requested and most impactful foods we can provide,” said Metz. “This effort shows what’s possible when farmers, nonprofits, and government work together to close the protein gap.”

America’s egg farmers look forward to supporting the ongoing national conversation around real food and joining the efforts underway to Make America Healthy Again.

# # #

About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.

The post America’s Egg Farmers Commit $1 Million to Put Protein-Packed Eggs at the Center of School Breakfast appeared first on American Egg Board.

Nashville, NC (March 30, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today toured Braswell Family Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned egg farm supplying the eggs for the 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll on behalf of America’s egg farmers.

Hosted by the American Egg Board in partnership with the Braswell family, the visit provided an inside look at how eggs move from farm to table — and to the South Lawn of the White House. Secretary Rollins toured the farm’s facilities, observed laying-hen flocks and egg grading, processing and packaging operations in the Braswell’s plant, before seeing off the nearly 40,000 hand-dyed eggs destined for the national Easter celebration in Washington, D.C. on April 6.

The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring North Carolina egg and soy producers, as well as representatives from the American Egg Board, American Farm Bureau Federation, North Carolina Farm Bureau, the North Carolina Egg Association and United Egg Producers. The conversation focused on key challenges facing farmers, including input costs, labor, hen health and flock security.

“Easter is the egg’s Super Bowl, and we were honored to offer Secretary Rollins a front-row seat to experience the dedication of egg farmers like the Braswell family in bringing eggs to the table for Easter and every other day of the year,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “America’s egg farmers are incredibly proud to help bring this cherished tradition to life each year. As a legacy partner of the White House for the Easter Egg Roll, we’re thrilled that real eggs are at the heart of this iconic celebration and deeply grateful to the dedicated farmers who make it all possible.”

 “It was an honor to welcome Secretary Rollins to our farm and share what we do every day,” said Trey Braswell, fourth-generation egg farmer and president of Braswell Family Farms. “When Secretary Rollins says she puts farmers first, she means it. We’re grateful for her valuable time, her questions and her care. There’s something special about knowing these eggs came from our farm and are headed to Washington D.C. We’re proud to raise them right here in North Carolina.”

Americans consume and decorate about three billion eggs each Easter season. Secretary Rollins’ visit comes as egg farmers nationwide prepare for the holiday through community events, food donations, and the annual White House Easter Egg Roll — an event supported by America’s egg farmers for more than 50 years through the American Egg Board.

###

About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org

About Braswell Family Farms

Braswell Family Farms is a fourth-generation family-owned business specializing in the production of specialty eggs and feed for the Mid-Atlantic region.  Braswell Family Farms boiled and hand-dyed nearly 40,000 eggs over three days using specialized processes to achieve the White House’s selected colors for this year’s event. Our mission is to feed the body and soul by building relationships that reflect God’s glory. Our company is grounded in five core values: In This Together, Do the Right Thing, Eggcited About Agriculture, I’m Third, and Grow Where You’re Planted.

About the North Carolina Egg Association

The North Carolina Egg Association (NCEA) is proud to represent North Carolina’s egg farmers, whose nine million hens produce about 2.7 billion eggs each year. North Carolina egg farmers are committed to producing safe, high-quality, affordable eggs for families across the state and the nation. They are integral parts of their local communities, provide excellent care for their flocks and are responsible stewards of the land, air and water surrounding their farms.

The post U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins Visits North Carolina Egg Farm Providing Eggs for 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll appeared first on American Egg Board.

ANAHEIM (March 17, 2026) – The American Egg Board (AEB) showcased a series of egg-based market innovations from producers, food manufacturers and strategic partners at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in Anaheim, CA, March 3-6. Spanning convenience, portability, the advancements underscored the egg industry’s commitment to pioneering solutions that meet evolving consumer needs and create new customer value.

“The ingenuity of America’s egg farmers and the U.S. egg industry were on full display for thousands of food industry professionals this week in innovations from Chino Valley Eggs, Egglife Foods, NestFresh, and the AEB’s own Eggcelerator Lab,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “I congratulate our egg producers and partners on these advancements that demonstrate once again that when it comes to functional performance, nutritional value and versatility, the egg offers tremendous potential to drive new opportunities for our channel customers and enhance consumers’ daily lives.”

The AEB highlighted several standouts among numerous recent innovations in eggs featured at Expo West.

• Chino Valley Ranchers (Colton, CA) introduced ready-to-serve Jammy Eggs: soft-boiled eggs precisely cooked for a velvety, “jammy” center enjoyed by consumers for ramen, salads, and toast. The product is the first available in an already peeled format.

• Egglife Foods (Wolcott, IN) showcased GRAB & GO breakfast tacos in two varieties — the latest additions to its popular GRAB & GO Power Wraps line. Co-developed with the AEB’s Eggcelerator Lab, the portable, on-trend product launched in January 2026, offering a convenient meal solution to consumers seeking high-protein, low-carb options.

• The AEB’s Eggcelerator Lab sampled high-protein ice cream co-developed in partnership with JPG/Culinex (Seattle, WA) as proof of concept to potential commercialization partners. The vanilla custard leans into an untapped consumer opportunity: an indulgent product for ice cream lovers looking to also increase their protein consumption.

• NestFresh (Denver, CO) promoted its new “Humanely Hatched” badge, taking home an Expo West NEXTY Award in the dairy or egg category. The badge is the first identifier on U.S. eggs and egg products indicating the eggs were produced using in-ovo sexing technology to determine the sex of chicken embryos while still in the egg.

“These innovations meet consumer demand for convenience and high-protein options. Products like jammy eggs and ready-to-eat meals save time while delivering better nutrition,” said Andrea Chan, innovation manager at the American Egg Board.

The AEB, on behalf of America’s egg farmers and industry partners, will continue to invest in and support egg industry innovation that aligns with changing consumer preferences, solves for unmet needs, and delivers customer and producer value.

###

About the American Egg Board
Home of the Incredible Egg, the American Egg Board (AEB) supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for U.S. eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.  

About the Eggcelerator Lab®
The American Egg Board’s Eggcelerator Lab^® is the innovation center for the U.S. egg industry, delivering new egg-based ideas to market. Powered by proprietary consumer insights and technical expertise, the Lab supports companies through every step of the product development journey using its signature O.V.V.O. innovation process. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org/EggceleratorLab

The post Egg Innovations Showcased at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in California appeared first on American Egg Board.

CHICAGO (March 11, 2026) – The American Egg Board (AEB) has restructured its organization to further accelerate global demand growth, continue to support farmers through research and on-farm resource creation and maximize return on farmer investment. These organizational changes follow a unanimous October vote to petition United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a producer referendum that would double egg farmers’ assessments over the next eight years.

This strategic staff realignment focuses AEB’s anticipated expanded resources on three priorities: boldly building egg consumption across retail, foodservice and export markets through marketing, innovation and food chain partnerships; strengthening producer engagement and on-farm support by executing research in animal health, sustainability and nutrition; and positioning AEB staff expertise as hands-on extensions of farmer teams.

“The message was clear from our Board in October—don’t wait. Take big swings. Lead this industry forward, fast,” said AEB president and CEO Emily Metz. “Well, message received. We’re not waiting—we’re positioning this organization to start making the bold moves we need to make to grow U.S. egg demand in a major way and support our farmers for the future.”

Under the updated structure, AEB is organized into three strategic areas: Demand, Farmer Support, and Enterprise. The demand team integrates marketing, business development, innovation and insights to expand egg consumption across retail, foodservice and export channels. The farmer support team concentrates on producer engagement, public affairs and industry initiatives that reinforce trust and advance key priorities. The enterprise team provides research, communications and operational leadership to ensure disciplined execution and measurable impact across the entire organization.

As part of the realignment, Mike Koenigs has been named Chief of Strategy and Operations and Nate Hedtke has been promoted to lead all demand functions as the Executive Vice President of Demand Creation. AEB also created a centralized strategic communications function led by Elizabeth Hurst as vice president of executive and strategic communications. Hurst joins AEB from Dairy MAX, where she led corporate communications across an eight-state region and directed national crisis communications initiatives.

Before its October Board meeting, AEB developed the business case for pursuing an assessment increase. The Board unanimously approved both the business case and the decision to execute a referendum with USDA, which will call for a producer vote on a staged, eight-year assessment increase. AEB will be working with USDA to execute the referendum at the Board’s direction.

“There is such momentum behind eggs right now and AEB is a rocket ship that’s taking off with the brightest stars in our sights,” said Metz. “I’m grateful for the trust that our Board and the industry has placed in its Checkoff organization and we’re not going to let them down. It’s blast off time!”

###

About the American Egg Board
Home of the Incredible Egg, the American Egg Board (AEB) is the national marketing organization of America’s egg farmers. Its mission is to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.

The post American Egg Board Reorganizes Around Three Priorities Following Unanimous Vote in Support of Assessment Increase appeared first on American Egg Board.

The new SNAP stocking standards nearly double the number of healthy food options available to recipients, with a clear focus on protein. Eggs deliver protein so complete that food scientists use them as the standard to assess the protein quality of other foods. 

“We applaud the USDA’s leadership in prioritizing real food for American families, especially those who rely on SNAP benefits,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “Eggs are exactly what this effort is about—accessible, nutrient-dense protein that should be available to everyone, no matter where they shop. When retailers are held to higher stocking standards for real food, families gain better options and eggs can play the role they should in supporting healthy eating across the country.” 

AEB and the producers it represents remain committed to supporting efforts that increase access to real food and improve nutrition for all Americans. AEB plans to participate in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Strategic Partnerships, amplifying the importance of eating real food like eggs as part of healthy diets. As USDA moves forward with these initiatives, eggs will continue to provide families with versatile, complete protein that fits into healthy eating at every meal. 

###  

About the American Egg Board  
Home of the Incredible Egg, the American Egg Board (AEB) is the national marketing organization of America’s egg farmers. Its mission is to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.   

The post American Egg Board Applauds USDA’s Continued Focus on Real Food and Protein Access  appeared first on American Egg Board.

Chicago, IL (February 2, 2026) – American Egg Board (AEB) leadership and U.S. egg producers are accompanying officials from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and state departments of agriculture, agribusiness executives and representatives from other U.S. commodities on a trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia, February 2–5, 2026. The trade mission is the first in a series of strategic international engagements slated by AEB this year to catalyze expansion of U.S. egg and egg product exports to diversify sales distribution long-term and address current domestic market conditions with urgency.

“Exports represent a critical and largely untapped strategic opportunity for U.S. egg producers to create new demand, improve returns and increase stability,” said Emily Metz, American Egg Board president and CEO. “There has never been a more important — or more promising — time to find homes for U.S. eggs beyond our borders. U.S. egg producers are facing the lowest domestic wholesale prices we have seen in decades. This won’t be solved overnight, but with the right market access and trade policies in place, taking our incredible, high-quality U.S. eggs and egg products global will be AEB’s focus this year.”

The U.S. exports only about 3%-4% of total egg production annually, while other U.S. animal-sourced agricultural commodities like pork, chicken and dairy export 15-30 percent of their domestic production. Trade mission delegate Sean Delano, who heads business development for Mid-States Specialty Eggs, says U.S. egg producers are increasingly recognizing the growth potential in international markets like Indonesia, along with the benefits of diversification.

“We see immense value in these trade missions for the understanding and access they provide. When you couple the international appetite we see for the quality attributes of U.S. eggs — safety, production standards, etc. — with unmet demand for niche product like organic or halal, markets like Indonesia look really promising and provide a potential hedge against the ebbs and flows of the U.S. domestic market,” Delano said.

As the fourth-most-populous nation in the world, Indonesia is a particularly attractive market opportunity for U.S. egg producers. The U.S. is the fourth-largest supplier of agricultural products to Indonesia, and while U.S. eggs perform well elsewhere in Southeast Asia, U.S. exports to Indonesia are disproportionately low compared to other commodities. Despite strong domestic shell egg production, the country remains structurally dependent on imports for processed egg ingredients used in food manufacturing, baking, and foodservice, and Indonesia represents a strategic and underserved market for U.S. egg products, particularly specialty dried egg products.

“To date, US egg products have had limited presence in this market, creating a clear opportunity for engagement. With proven food safety standards, reliable supply, and halal-compliant processing, the U.S. egg industry can play a larger role in meeting Indonesia’s growing demand. This trade mission is a critical step toward establishing long-term commercial partnerships and positioning U.S. eggs more strongly in Indonesia,” said Thomas Tan, ASEAN region consultant for the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

A new U.S.-Indonesia trade framework brokered by the Trump administration in 2025, taking effect this year, offers further incentive by removing tariffs on more than 99% of U.S. food and agricultural products and exempting them from licensing requirements.

“This trade deal creates an unprecedented opportunity for American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to gain more access to Southeast Asia’s largest market,” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg in a press release. “This mission is well-timed to connect U.S. exporters with key buyers and meet Indonesia’s growing demand for high–quality American agricultural goods — boosting rural economies and keeping U.S. products globally competitive.”

The USDA FAS agenda for the trade mission includes networking events, plenary sessions and briefings with market experts, Indonesian importers, and government officials, as well as customer facility tours and operations visits, and culturally immersive events. Egg industry delegates will further benefit from a special itinerary of meetings with importers, ingredient distributors and bakery customers facilitated by the AEB in partnership with USAPEEC.

The AEB in partnership with USAPEEC has scheduled additional high-impact international engagements throughout the year in key markets including the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and Japan to expose U.S. egg producers to global export opportunities poised to drive long-term growth and greater stability for the U.S. egg industry.

###

About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for U.S. eggs and egg products through research, education and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.

The post American Egg Board Aims to Spur Rapid Export Growth, Starting with Indonesia appeared first on American Egg Board.