Happy World Egg Day on October 10th!
World Egg Day is a celebration of the mighty egg and the remarkable farmers who produce them. Eggs are a staple in kitchens across Canada and behind every carton is a farmer committed to feeding their community. More than 1200 farmers across all provinces and territories provide a steady supply of eggs totalling over 10 billion annually! Locally, Island Gold has been a family-owned and operated egg business on Vancouver Island for over 70 years. They produce several categories of eggs — all nutritious and offer a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals.
Island Gold Free Range Large Brown Eggs are on sale October 8-14, just in time for Thanksgiving!
Island Gold offers several categories of eggs: free range, veggie fed, free range veggie fed, free run, free run omega-3, and organic. So what does it all mean?
Free Run eggs are produced by hens that are free to roam in wide, open-concept barns equipped with nests, perches and dust-bathing areas. The hens eat a multigrain feed manufactured to Island Gold’s unique specifications.
Free Range eggs are produced by hens, who live in open-concept barns like the free run hens. And they also have access to the outdoors, weather and environmental conditions permitting.
Veggie Fed hens are fed a vegetarian feed of grains, including corn, wheat, and soy, plus vitamins and minerals. This diet results in eggs that have twice the vitamins E and B12 of regular eggs. Additionally, they are guaranteed to contain no medications or antibiotics.
Free Run Omega-3 eggs are produced by hens free to roam in open-concept barns. The hens are fed a multigrain diet with added flaxseed and corn. While all eggs are nutritious, these nutritionally enhanced eggs provide an additional source of DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
Organic eggs are produced by free range hens, who lay their eggs in a clean nest, ensuring the cleanest possible product. They eat a vegetarian multigrain organic feed that is manufactured to Island Gold’s specification and in accordance with the Canadian Organic Regime, certified by CFIA-accredited certification body, Ecocert Canada.
Island Gold’s monitoring system ensures only specific eggs are packed in their specific cartons, all made from 100% recycled paper.
Vancouver Island family-owned and operated for over 70 years.
Karl and Asta Jensen founded the business in 1951 when they purchased an egg farm in Westholme one year after immigrating from Denmark. Their son Roy inherited the business in the 1970s and married local islander Celia Hayward in the 1980s. Together, they continued to run the business for over 30 years. In 2007, Island Eggs was purchased by the Hudson Family and Burnbrae Farms, a sixth-generation Canadian family with more than 130 years of farming experience. Today, Island Gold employs 50 islanders and pickup eggs from 32 egg farms on Vancouver Island.