With the steep increase in egg prices so far this year, Troy businesses are rethinking how to carry out daily operations to meet demands in the most cost-effective way.
According to an article by the Associated Press, egg prices reached a record high of $4.95 in January – a near 50% increase from last year alone. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that number is expected to skyrocket by a total of 20% by the end of the year.
"It really came down to when we saw this rise in egg prices," said Ethan Barnes, assistant baker at local bakery BSweet Dessert Boutique. "That began the search to make changes with how we operate some things in the bakery."
This price increase follows a nationwide egg shortage due to a nationwide outbreak of bird flu. Now, businesses across the nation, as well as right here in Troy, must adapt to keep up with the changing economy.
BSweet is a family-owned bakery located right off of Troy’s downtown square. After battling the ever-increasing egg prices, they found a more financially feasible way to meet demand. Over the past year, BSweet has been phasing in cheaper, vegan-friendly alternatives.
“From a baker's standpoint, we have to look at how far we can stretch our carton of eggs so that we're not just spending like crazy,” Barnes said.
By adapting to include more vegan-friendly ingredients in their recipes, the shop can meet customer demand without sacrificing quality – all while staying within budget.
Some of the alternatives they have incorporated include cornstarch and water, applesauce and aquafaba, which is the liquid leftover from chickpeas which is commonly used in vegan macarons.
“It’s all about how you build a recipe to match the taste of something that's normal,” Barnes said. "You can't just throw in this and that and expect it to taste good.
“I've spent lots of time making sure it meets my standards to taste good for all of our customers.”
Even with these vegan alternatives, not all of BSweet’s recipes are changing. Plenty of desserts that call for eggs will still be offered, but with the bakery only being able to stretch their eggs so far, it was necessary to look into other options to make up the difference.
Apart from easing the business’ financial burden, these vegan-friendly sweets helped BSweet reach a larger customer base – providing a welcoming environment for vegan and gluten-free customers.
“We took a step back to think about what other things we can offer to more people," Barnes said. “Some of these kids can't have eggs now; sometimes, it's a whole family that can't have desserts at their own house.
"Now, they can come here and enjoy anything vegan.”
Larger businesses are suffering from the steep hike in egg prices, as well. To combat high prices, the Waffle House in Troy has added a 50-cent surcharge per egg. According to CNN, this was a company-wide decision, now effective in all locations of the popular breakfast food chain.
Amidst all the negatives of the egg shortage, some members of the Troy community are choosing to fight it with kindness. Tammie Roper, a Troy resident who raises chickens, is one such example.
“We try to give our elderly neighbors fresh eggs as much as possible,” Roper said. “We don't charge them; in my opinion, they have paid enough for things throughout their lives.
“In this time of need, we should give what we can to those we know truly need it.”
With egg prices set to stay on the rise in the near future, businesses continue to search for alternatives to stay afloat. Despite all of it, the community – whether it be family businesses or selfless residents – has come together in a way to support those who need it most.
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