Egg Shortage Hits Santa Cruz County

A nationwide egg shortage is currently impacting consumers and businesses due to an outbreak of avian influenza, which has led to the culling of millions of birds. California is the hardest-hit state, with 4.6 million affected birds, causing significant supply issues at grocery stores like New Leaf Community Markets and Trader Joe's, which are limiting egg purchases or facing empty shelves. However, some local businesses, like Shopper’s Corner in Santa Cruz, remain fully stocked due to their sourcing methods. In Nevada, the situation is worsened by restrictive sourcing laws, prompting calls for legislative action to enhance supply chain flexibility and mitigate economic strain on families and businesses. As egg prices rise and availability dwindles, consumers are urged to buy responsibly to avoid exacerbating the crisis. The ongoing shortage underscores the need for better policies to address supply chain vulnerabilities during emergencies.