Highlights from our 2017 Annual Report

Eleven years—that’s how long we’ve seen consecutive growth in Canada’s egg industry. Last year we added over one million hens to farms across the country and current indicators suggest demand for eggs will only keep growing. It’s a good news story that I’m proud to share.

While we grow, our love for this amazing food and the benefits it brings to Canadians are just two examples of what motivates us every day. We’ve accomplished so much in the last year thanks to the collective efforts of many people. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Our industry is growing sustainably

Last year, we took a step back to look at sustainability holistically by bringing together all the programs and policies that feed into it. Our Sustainability Story is about finding new ways to make egg production more environmentally sound, and also about delivering safe, high-quality eggs to Canadians, enhancing the well-being of others, empowering our people and protecting the health and welfare of our hens.

We achieved a major milestone in 2017 with our updated Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens. After four years of discussion to achieve consensus amongst experts across our supply chain, the updated Code offers national guidelines and recommended practices, and farmers from coast to coast will be putting these into practice as we redevelop our national Animal Care Program.

2. We’re strengthening our industry through trust

I’ve written in the past about how we earn that trust—and it starts with our communities. After all, we want to work with the utmost regard for the places we live and the environment we inhabit. Building trust means helping Canadians learn about where their food comes from and of the world-class standards in place on Canadian farms. We’re challenging ourselves every day to grow and strengthen our industry through trust.

Building trust also means building partnerships. For example, over the holidays we highlighted our years-long collaboration with Food Banks Canada through the #RecipesThatGive movement. We invited Canadians to share cherished recipes that bring joy to others—and thanked our fellow Canadians that volunteer their time to help others.

3. We’re growing and innovating every day

Little can compare to the nutritional power of the egg and we are telling consumers this story through marketing programs like our upbeat and humorous new Weekday Eggs campaign, reminding Canadians that eggs are a great breakfast choice—every day of the week!

The story of our growth goes beyond the growth in retail egg sales. The channels we use to talk with Canadians are growing too. Whether it’s the nearly 5 million visits to our eggs.ca and eggfarmers.ca websites, hits on EggcentricTV’s 284 videos, or our thousands of amazing fans, followers and egg champions on social media, we’re reaching more people than ever before with our message.

4. We’re committed to organizational excellence

I’m proud to say that EFC was named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for the second time by Waterstone Human Capital. Last year we were also recognized as a National Capital Region’s Top Employer for the fifth consecutive year. Our team is passionate, and they’re working hard to support sustainable growth across our industry.

There’s so much to love about the work of Egg Farmers of Canada, and I wish I could highlight it all! I’ll let the annual report speak for itself—click HERE and give it a read. It will give you a whole new appreciation for the eggs we all enjoy, and what they can do for Canadians.

---