American Egg Board and United Egg Producers Host Capitol Hill Luncheon for National Egg Salad Week

Congressional staffers get an inside look at egg farming, nutrition, and industry priorities during a timely week celebrating one of America’s most essential foods

Washington, D.C. (April 7, 2026) – The American Egg Board (AEB) and United Egg Producers (UEP) today hosted a special lunch-and-learn event for congressional staff on Capitol Hill in celebration of National Egg Salad Week (April 6–12). The event was also attended by White House Senior Advisor Calley Means, who provided remarks.

The program opened with an educational session led by AEB offering a comprehensive look at modern egg farming and production. Speakers included third-generation egg farmer Sam Krouse, co-CEO of MPS Egg Farms (North Manchester, Indiana); veterinarian Dr. Craig Rowles, vice president of special projects at Versova (Sioux Center, Iowa), who provided an update on highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu); University of Arkansas agricultural economist Dr. Jada Thompson, who outlined key egg industry economic dynamics; and Dr. Mickey Rubin, executive director of the AEB’s Egg Nutrition Center, who highlighted the exceptional nutritional benefits of eggs.

The session was followed by a legislative briefing from UEP, presented by second-generation egg farmer and UEP Chairman J.T. Dean, president of Versova, who offered insight into current policy issues impacting egg producers.

Attendees enjoyed a classic egg salad lunch, followed by an ice cream social featuring a high-protein vanilla custard developed by the AEB’s Eggcelerator Lab.

“Eggs are on a roll — figuratively and literally, with 40,000 real eggs on the South Lawn of the White House yesterday,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. “The past year has reinforced just how essential eggs are in Americans’ daily lives. We’re proud to share our farmers’ story and expertise, and the joy of egg salad, on Capitol Hill. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans say it best: eat real food — and it doesn’t get any more real than eggs.”

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to engage with congressional staff and share the critical challenges facing America’s egg farmers,” said Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. “At a time when food production is more important than ever, strong, supportive actions of our nation’s policy makers are essential to secure a thriving egg industry for the future. From our farms to America’s tables, egg farming is a commitment to nourishing America, and food security is national security.”

The event capped a busy week for America’s egg farmers that began with a visit by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to Braswell Family Farms (Nashville, North Carolina), followed by a press event at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. where Secretary Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy and White House Senior Advisor Calley Means announced a $1 million investment by America’s egg farmers in innovation programs to expand access to egg-based options in schools. In tandem, a nationwide spring egg donation effort led by AEB in partnership with HATCH for Hunger (Carmel, Indiana) has delivered nearly 10 million eggs directly from egg farmers to food banks. The activities culminated with AEB’s annual partnership on the White House Easter Egg Roll, where more than 150 egg farmers and their families and 40,000 real eggs were featured on the South Lawn.

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About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Home of the Incredible Egg, the AEB supports America’s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. The AEB is located in Chicago, Ill. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.

About United Egg Producers (UEP)

United Egg Producers (UEP) is a cooperative of U.S. egg farmers working collaboratively to address legislative, regulatory and advocacy issues impacting the industry through active farmer-member leadership, a unified voice and partnership across the agriculture community. Formed in 1968, UEP members represent about 95 percent of U.S. egg production. For more, visit UnitedEgg.com.