Who We Are
For over 60 years, Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) has worked to supply families across Ontario with safe, nutritious, high-quality eggs.
In 1964, the Ontario Egg and Fowl Producers was established under the Farm Products Marketing Act. We operated under that name until 1998, when the organization was renamed Ontario Egg Producers, and that designation remained until 2006 with a final name change to Egg Farmers of Ontario. It’s a name that we are proud of, as it is a better reflection of the many people behind who we are – farmers, staff members, industry stakeholders and partners.
Over time, our name may have changed, but our commitment to high-quality eggs and world-class standards of food safety and animal care has always remained the same.
Today, we are an organization that represents over 500 egg farmers and pullet growers from across Ontario who account for about 40% of total egg production in Canada. That’s about 334 million dozen eggs each year.
From our family farms, to your family table
Our farmers are proud to supply fresh and nutritious eggs to families across Ontario, and they love to share what they do with consumers like you. We hope you visit all areas of this website which includes the stories of just some of our farm families from 1st generation farmers, all the way to 7th generation farm families!
Visit the farmer section of this site to meet some of those farm families, made familiar through our original Who Made Your Eggs Today? and now, our Real Farmers. Real Eggs. campaigns.
It’s not surprising that egg farmers love eggs. Not only are they nutritious, but they are also versatile and suit any meal or occasion. That’s why Egg Farmers of Ontario works hard each and every year to develop new recipes that consider trends, lifestyles and tastes. This site includes recipes for any appetite, from quick and easy meal ideas to special occasions where an elegant appetizer or a decadent dessert fits the bill. Whether you’re looking for the basics or are an at-home chef, our vast recipe library has something for everyone!
Our Mandate
The mandate of Egg Farmers of Ontario is to provide consumers with a guaranteed supply of safe, high-quality eggs at the most reasonable prices possible. This is accomplished through the efficient management of the production of eggs, research, product promotion and ongoing marketing activities.
Our Mission
The mission of Egg Farmers of Ontario is to lead a progressive and thriving egg sector committed to high-quality eggs, consumer choice and sustainable practices.
A full-time staff of about 32 people ensures the organization’s policies and regulations are implemented, and administrates programs such as layer placements, advertising and promotion, agriculture awareness and education, poultry and egg research, development and quality control.
A Farming Organization
Egg Farmers of Ontario is an independent, self-governing farming organization. We are not a government body or department. We are funded entirely by egg farmers. Each farmer pays a fee on every dozen eggs sold and these funds are used to support the activities of the Ontario and Canadian egg system.
How We Operate
Egg Farmers of Ontario is a supply management and fair farm pricing organization. That means we estimate how many eggs will be needed annually and set production levels so the right amount will be produced.
We also set the price paid to the egg farmer which is based on what it costs to produce the egg. Our mandate is to provide consumers with a guaranteed supply of safe, high-quality eggs at the most reasonable prices possible.
This is accomplished through the efficient management of the production of eggs, research, product promotion and ongoing marketing activities.
Production of Safe, High-Quality Eggs
We are committed to research so that consumers receive safe, high-quality eggs. In fact, we have instituted programs such as the Egg Quality Improvement program and Canada’s first poultry on-farm food safety program, with safety audits performed by an independent third party.
Efficient production of safe, high-quality eggs is a result of a number of programs and practices developed after years of research. These include an approved Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens (covering space, lighting, ventilation, water and feed, waste removal, pest control and animal care requirements), mandatory bacteria testing of the layer operations, a standardized safety and quality program and regular on-farm inspections to monitor quality and safety standards.
Research and Development
Egg Farmers of Ontario has a long history of supporting research. While improving production efficiency was the primary target in the early years, other priorities such as food safety, disease control and biosecurity have been receiving more attention.
In 1985, the Board endowed an “Egg Research Chair” at the University of Guelph – the first of its kind – to develop new uses for eggs. We continually invest in research to improve all aspects of the egg industry including feed/production efficiency, housing, sanitation, environmental protection, egg quality and safety, new uses for eggs in the processing sector and new egg products.
In fact, we contributed to the creation of the Omega 3 Fatty Acid-enriched Designer Egg – an innovation developed by Dr. Jeong Sim of the University of Alberta.
Forecasting & Stimulating Demand
Forecasting Demand
On a yearly basis, Egg Farmers of Ontario forecasts how many eggs consumers will purchase so that egg farmers can produce enough of a supply to keep egg cases in stores full. By forecasting the need for eggs and planning accordingly, it reduces instability that can result when supply and demand are out of balance.
Demand for eggs is determined by looking at the two markets for the eggs produced in Ontario – the table market and the industrial product market.
Table Market
Table market eggs are shell eggs and are used at home, in restaurants and some bakeries.
Industrial Product Market
Industrial product eggs are processed into a variety of forms including pasteurized frozen or refrigerated liquid eggs, dried eggs, pickled, hard-cooked, special blends and extracts. Processed egg products are sold to a range of industries including bakeries, food manufacturers (for pasta, salad dressings, cake mixes, etc.) and some restaurants.
Some companies extract elements from eggs, such as lysozyme, for use in bacteria control in food processing and cosmetics.
Stimulating Demand
Egg Farmers of Ontario works to promote eggs as rich in protein and a natural choice for an active lifestyle. Our goal is to take this message directly to consumers through recipe brochures, nutrition factsheets, sampling and cooking demonstrations at fairs and events. We also promote eggs through advertising, school visits, literature and restaurant promotions.
Community Partnerships
Feed Ontario (formerly Ontario Association of Food Banks)
Ontario’s egg farmers have a passion and history of donating to food banks. In celebration of our 50th anniversary in 2014, Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) introduced a new egg donation program in collaboration with Feed Ontario.
The goal of EFO’s Egg Donation Program was to make it easy for egg farmers and all supporters to donate eggs to food banks across Ontario.
For more about this program, visit the Feed Ontario website.
Ontario Minor Hockey Association
Our partnership with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) began in 2019 with EFO being the first-ever Playdown Sponsor for all sections of the league, from Novice to Juvenile, AA-AE. Since that time, changes to our partnership took place throughout the 2020 and 2021 season, due to the restrictions during that time caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the partnership has flourished and grown into a championship program with regional qualifiers that extends the length of play for teams and minimizes travel for families.
For more information, visit the Ontario Minor Hockey Association website.
RENEW – World Accord
Rights and Economic Development for Nepal’s Empowered Women (RENEW). Egg Farmers of Ontario has partnered with World Accord, an organization that works to support women around the globe that face issues such as poverty, gender-based violence and inequality by providing them with opportunities to become self-sustaining. A team of egg farmers visited the Makwanpur and Nuwakot districts of Nepal in late 2022 to determine the viability of women in remote villages raising chickens as a source of income. Armed with training materials and resources, the team will return to the region in late 2023 to share knowledge and information with the goal to further empower these women through economic and self-sufficient means.
For more information, visit the World Accord website. You can also watch the RENEW project video.
Student Nutrition Ontario
Egg Farmers of Ontario is proud to be a key partner with Student Nutrition Ontario (SNO). Through our partnership with SNO, our farmers are pleased to help nourish today’s students with high-quality, protein-filled eggs to start their day off right and be ready to learn all day long.
For more information, visit the Student Nutrition Ontario website.
The Grove Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
Egg Farmers of Ontario is proud to be a supporter of The Grove Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario through a multi-year partnership and a five-year funding commitment. The Grove currently has four sites open throughout Guelph and Wellington County, with plans to grow to seven sites. The Grove continues to provide safe spaces for youth to access the resources they need — whether it be help securing their first job or coping with mental health challenges.
For more about this program, visit The Grove Hubs website.
Bursaries & Scholarships
Brian Ellsworth Memorial Bursary
To honour the legacy of Brian Ellsworth, who served as General Manager of Ontario Egg Producers from 1970 until 2003, EFO has established the Brian Ellsworth Memorial Bursary. This bursary provides $5,000 towards eligible applicants’ tuition cost for the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP).
To be eligible, applicants must: be an egg or pullet farmer, or family member or employee under an active Ontario quota number, or an EFO staff member; have been successfully selected as a class participant for the AALP; submit an application form to Egg Farmers of Ontario, including proof of successful selection, before May 1 of the year the class begins; agree to speak at an Egg Farmers of Ontario meeting and/or event about their experiences in the AALP.
For more information on the AALP and how to apply, visit the Rural Ontario Institute website.
To apply, contact [email protected].
Egg Farmers of Ontario & Dr. Donald Shaver Scholarships in Sustainable Poultry Production
This scholarship was established in recognition of Dr. Shaver’s impact on layer genetics and sustainable poultry production. Open to students entering any graduate program or in semester 1, 2, or 3 at time of application, who are conducting or proposing research in egg farming. For more information, visit the University of Guelph website.
Egg Farmers of Ontario’s Thomas R. Graham Scholarship
The Egg Farmers of Ontario’s Thomas R. Graham Scholarship was established to recognize the contributions of Tom Graham, a graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College in 1950. First awarded in 1984, this scholarship grants $5,000 to a PhD student, registered in their first year in an area of research and study in the general field of poultry science. If no PhD student is eligible, two awards of $2,500 can be awarded to MSc. students.
Tom Graham owned and operated Graholm Farms that was founded within the current town of St. Marys in 1953. The farm is now operated by Tom’s son and former EFO Chair, Scott Graham and his wife Laurie, along with his grandson Brett and his wife Jessica. Brett represents the third generation involved with the farm.
Egg Farmers of Ontario and the Graham family are honoured to offer this scholarship opportunity. For detailed information and how to apply, visit the University of Guelph website.
Food Bank Donations
Egg farmers’ ongoing commitment
Ontario’s egg farmers have a strong history of donating to food banks. In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2014, Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) introduced an egg donation program in collaboration with Feed Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association of Food Banks).
EFO’s Food Bank Egg Donation program makes it easy for egg farmers and all supporters to donate eggs to food banks across Ontario.
Beginning in 2014, Egg Farmers of Ontario committed to ensuring that at least $250,000 worth of eggs are donated to Feed Ontario annually in this program. This is one of the largest ongoing commitments to Ontario’s food banks.
The commitment currently provides about 9,000 dozen eggs per month throughout the year. EFO’s contributions were also increased dramatically to assist with tremendous pressure on food banks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing annual commitment was increased to $300,000 annually beginning in 2022.
How you can join this donation program
Eggs are a vital protein in high demand by food banks and many egg sector stakeholders and private individuals support the program by donating funds that are used to provide even more eggs under this popular program.
Feed Ontario’s website makes it easy for anyone who would like to support this effort.
Donate