Egg prices push Americans to find creative Easter alternatives – potatoes, onions, and more

At Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, Ohio, the annual Easter egg hunt traditionally features 10,000 real eggs, baked in ovens and dyed in large steel bowls. However, this year will be different: for the first time in 40 years, the event will feature plastic eggs filled with coupons for free rides.

The decision was made not only due to high costs but also because of concerns about depleting local egg supplies. John Young, who runs the family-owned farm, said many visitors were relieved to hear that the event would still take place despite the changes.

"People were quietly scared we’d cancel the event because of egg prices currently. So they’re glad we’re still doing it," he explained.

The impact of high egg prices is also being felt by households across the country. Some people are replacing eggs with creative alternatives such as potatoes, marshmallows, and even onions for Easter decorations, dyeing them in bright colors to keep the festive spirit. Social media is flooded with tutorials on how to dye these unconventional substitutes.

Food blogger Lexi Harrison, who runs the Crowded Kitchen blog, created a viral video showing how to make pastel blue peanut butter and chocolate eggs, which has garnered over 64 million views. "I didn’t expect the reaction we got," she said, noting that some viewers appreciated the idea, while others questioned why not just use real eggs.

Keeping the egg-dyeing tradition alive despite rising prices

While some are experimenting with new ideas, many Americans remain committed to traditional egg dyeing, regardless of the cost. Joe Ens, CEO of PAAS, a company that sells egg dyeing kits, reported that 90% of their customers still plan to dye eggs this Easter.

He compares the tradition to decorating a Christmas tree, emphasizing its sentimental value. In fact, PAAS has already sold 20% more dyeing kits than at the same time last year, proving that, for most, Easter without dyed eggs is simply not the same.

Despite the creative alternatives, the core of the Easter tradition remains intact for many. As Young’s Jersey Dairy prepares to distribute plastic eggs for the first time, they hope to return to real eggs next year. "Plastic eggs can be just as fun," said Mr. Young. "But I’m hoping we can get back to the tradition next year."

Recently, US egg prices have finally begun to decline after months of increases. National egg prices dropped by 9% last week, averaging $3 per dozen.

This improvement is attributed to a decrease in avian influenza cases, which fell to 2.1 million in March from over 12 million in February. However, it may take a few weeks for retail prices to fully reflect these changes as the market slowly recovers.