First shipment arrives in Raleigh as statewide distribution begins
RALEIGH, NC — North Carolina food banks began receiving their share of nearly three million eggs this week as part of a multistate antitrust settlement with three major egg producers. The first shipment, totaling about 270,000 eggs, arrived Tuesday at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s Raleigh warehouse, where Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined food‑bank leaders for the initial delivery.
For background, see our July 4 story detailing the settlement and its expected impact.
Tuesday’s drop‑off marks the first stage of a six‑week distribution plan that will move eggs to partner agencies across all 100 counties. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina confirmed that eggs will be routed through its Wilmington and Fayetteville branches, meaning partner agencies in Brunswick, Columbus, and nearby counties are included in the six‑week distribution plan.
Jackson said the settlement is designed to provide direct relief to families who struggled with inflated egg prices during the 2024–2025 period. “This settlement does more than stop these producers from breaking the rules,” Jackson said. “It brings millions of eggs to our state that food banks can use to help feed North Carolina.”
Food‑bank officials noted that protein remains one of the most difficult items for families to afford, and eggs are consistently among the most requested staples. Rising food costs have pushed many households to rely more heavily on food‑bank distributions, making the timing of the shipments especially significant.
North Carolina is one of 17 states participating in the national settlement, which will distribute a total of 50 million eggs. As part of the agreement, producers must adopt new compliance measures, designate antitrust officers, and cooperate with ongoing oversight to prevent future price manipulation.
Additional shipments are expected to arrive through early fall as the statewide rollout continues.
