You may have heard the saying “a good egg,” someone who’s kind, thoughtful, and tries to do the right thing. There’s even a popular children’s book called The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald that brings this idea to life in a funny and heartwarming way. In the story, we meet a little egg who tries very hard to be good—but learns that taking care of himself is just as important as helping others.
So… what about the real eggs we crack open for breakfast?
In Ontario, our eggs have a lot in common with the storybook “The Good Egg.” They come from farmers who go above and beyond to make sure each egg is safe, healthy, and raised with care. Let’s take a closer look at what really makes an Ontario egg a good egg and how our egg farmers help make that happen every day.
What Is Egg Quality Assurance?
When you see the EQA® symbol on an egg carton, it means that the egg has met the highest standards of Egg Farmers of Canada’s Start Clean-Stay Clean® Program and Animal Care Program. This program is like a gold star for eggs—it shows that no matter what type of egg you choose, the EQA® program ensures Canadians get fresh, local and high-quality eggs produced by Canadian farmers.
What do these programs mean?
Start Clean-Stay Clean® Program – Ensuring your eggs are always safe and fresh.
Animal Care Program – Ensuring hens are always well cared for.
It’s all about trust. Canadians can feel confident that their eggs are coming from farmers who are committed to doing things the right way.
A Great Tie-In for Your Classrooms
If you’re a teacher reading The Good Egg in class, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect a beloved book to real life.
Try asking your students:
What makes the egg in the story “good?”
What does he learn about responsibility and self-care?
What do we think makes a real egg “good?”
Why is it important that farmers take care of their animals?
You can even explore the EQA® symbol together—see if students can spot it on a real egg carton at home and report back.
The Takeaway
Ontario egg farmers may not live in a picture book, but their commitment to quality is just as strong as the story’s Good Egg! Through hard work, responsibility, and care, egg farmers produce eggs you can trust—every day.
Whether it’s in your lunch, your pancakes, or your classroom lesson plan, a good egg makes all the difference. Thanks to EQA®, we can say with confidence that in Ontario, we know what it takes to be a really good egg.
