Buying Eggs From Walmart: The Complete Shopper‘s Guide
Hey friends! Are you looking for the lowdown on buying eggs from Walmart? With so many options from conventional to organic, caged to free-range, it can get confusing to pick the right carton for your needs and budget.
Well you‘re in luck, because I‘m going to walk you through everything you need to know as a shopper. Whether you care about pinching pennies or pampering hens, this guide will break it all down so you can pick the perfect eggs!
An Egg-Cellent Source of Nutrition
First, let‘s appreciate why eggs are such an amazing food. Just one large egg contains:
- 6 grams of complete protein – all 9 essential amino acids!
- Vitamins A, D, E, B6, B12, iron, phosphorus – the list goes on
- Powerful antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin
- Choline for brain development and health
And at just 70-80 calories each, eggs offer a major nutritional bang for your buck!
Americans consume over 284 eggs per year on average. With the versatile egg making breakfast, lunch, dinner, baked goods, and more better, it‘s no wonder we‘re such an egg-loving nation.
When sourced responsibly, eggs can be an ethical, sustainable choice as well. Now let‘s see how Walmart stacks up as a source for your daily egg needs.
What Types of Eggs Does Walmart Sell?
Walk into any Walmart and you‘ll be greeted by a refrigerated wall of eggs in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. Let‘s break down the key options:
White Eggs
The most common and budget-friendly choice. Despite the shell color, nutritionally they are identical to brown eggs. The breeds of chicken with white feathers and earlobes (like Leghorns) simply lay white eggs.
Brown Eggs
Layed by breeds like Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks. Consumers often view brown eggs as more "natural" but the interior quality is the same. Try both to see if you have a preference!
Organic Eggs
Hens are fed an all-organic, vegetarian diet free of antibiotics or hormones. Requires more land for organic feed but has environmental benefits.
Cage-Free Eggs
Hens are loose in an open barn or room rather than tiny battery cages. Allows spreading wings but no outdoor access.
Free-Range Eggs
Hens have at least some access to the outdoors and space to roam, though amount varies. Offers exposure to grass, bugs, and sunshine.
Pasture-Raised Eggs
Not always available at Walmart but the gold standard – hens spend days outside freely foraging on rotated pastures. As natural as it gets!
You‘ll also see different sizes from medium, large, extra large, and jumbo. Large is most common for household use.
Egg Prices at Walmart
One major reason many shoppers flock to Walmart for eggs is the prices. As of January 2023, here are the going rates on common sizes and varieties:
| Egg Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Great Value Large White Eggs | $1.82/dozen |
| Great Value Large Brown Eggs | $2.14/dozen |
| Marketside Large Cage-Free Eggs | $2.57/dozen |
| Eggland‘s Best Large White Eggs | $3.12/dozen |
| Eggland‘s Best Large Brown Eggs | $3.44/dozen |
| Marketside Organic Brown Eggs | $3.89/dozen |
| Happy Egg Free Range Brown Eggs | $4.17/dozen |
As expected, Walmart‘s store-brand white eggs are the least expensive option. But even premium varieties like free-range and organic eggs are priced lower than competing grocery chains:
| Retailer | Dozen Cage-Free Large | Dozen Organic Large |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $2.57 | $3.89 |
| Kroger | $3.79 | $4.99 |
| Safeway | $3.99 | $5.29 |
| Whole Foods | $4.99 | $5.99 |
Walmart‘s massive supply chain efficiencies allow them to offer eggs for less across the board. But are the savings worth it ethically? Keep reading.
Why Are Walmart Eggs So Inexpensive?
It‘s no industry secret – Walmart leverages its position as the world‘s largest retailer to command bottom barrel prices from suppliers.
But animal welfare groups argue Walmart‘s rock bottom egg prices stem from sourcing from factory farm suppliers that prioritize costs over humane practices. What exactly does that mean?
- Cramped Cages – Hens crammed into wire "battery" cages with no room to spread wings
- Rapid Production – Breeding for maximum eggs per hen before early slaughter
- No Enrichments – Sparse, crowded environments without perches or nests
- Routine Suffering – Painful debeaking, illness, early slaughter
This [undercover video] shows the conditions at a major Walmart egg supplier. By permitting these cost-cutting measures, Walmart can purchase eggs at rock bottom wholesale prices and undercut competitors.
But at what cost to millions of hens? Next let‘s explore whether Walmart‘s attempts to offer more humane options stack up to scrutiny.
Can Walmart‘s Ethical Claims Be Trusted?
In 2016, Walmart pledged to switch 100% of eggs sold to cage-free by 2025 based on growing public concerns. But serious questions emerged regarding how genuine these efforts are:
- In 2018, Walmart was sued for claiming "outdoor access" when hens only had view of outdoors
- Their private label eggs still lack any independent ethical farming certification
- As of 2022, only 30% of Walmart eggs were cage-free, far short of their stated commitment
Walmart also advertises "farm fresh" and "great care" messaging that investigative exposés contradict. While lower prices appeal, ethical shoppers are right to be wary of humane washing. Trust third-party certifications over Walmart‘s claims.
Where Do Walmart‘s Eggs Come From?
| Brand | Supplier | Controversies |
|---|---|---|
| Great Value | Cal-Maine Foods | America‘s largest egg producer sued over false advertising |
| Marketside | Cal-Maine Foods | |
| Eggland‘s Best | Eggland‘s Best LLC | Uses all-vegetarian feed |
| Happy Egg | Happy Egg Co. | Certified Humane; owned by Walmart |
The bulk of Walmart‘s private label eggs come from Cal-Maine Foods, the largest U.S. egg producer at over 20% market share. In 2008, Cal-Maine and others were sued for price fixing to drive up egg costs.
In 2018, they paid $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging their egg cartons falsely advertised hens had access to the outdoors when they did not. Not exactly a poster child for ethical sourcing.
Egg Labels – Knowing What to Look For
Navigating egg labels can feel overwhelming! Here are some tips on deciphering ethical marketing claims:
-
Cage-Free – Technically true but still allows crowded indoor conditions
-
Free-Range – Vague standard; look for details on amount of outdoor access
-
Pasture-Raised – Gold standard where hens spend days roaming outdoors
-
Natural – No special meaning; even conventional eggs are "natural"
-
Hormone-Free – True but misleading since no eggs have added hormones anyway
-
Vegetarian-Fed – Standard practice unless specified as "pastured" diet
The most meaningful credential is third-party certification by respected organizations like Certified Humane, Animal Welfare Approved, and American Humane. This signals independent oversight of verifiable standards versus farm‘s own claims.
Grading Walmart‘s Egg Options
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s grade some of the top Walmart egg choices on price, ethics, and quality:
Great Value Standard Eggs
- Price – A+
- Ethics – D-
- Quality – C
Pros: Extremely cheap; fine for basic nutrition
Cons: Ethical concerns; lacks oversight
Marketside Cage-Free Eggs
- Price – A
- Ethics – C
- Quality – B
Pros: Reasonable price for cage-free; better than battery cages
Cons: Still indoor-only; lacks certifications
Eggland’s Best Eggs
- Price – B
- Ethics – B+
- Quality – A
Pros: Enriched diet improves nutrition; varieties available
Cons: Prices can be higher than value brands
Happy Egg Free Range Eggs
- Price – B+
- Ethics – A+
- Quality – A+
Pros: Certified Humane; true free-range access
Cons: Among the most expensive options
The Best Eggs at Walmart Are…
Based on my own criteria of wanting ethically sourced eggs with strong independent oversight, here are my top Walmart egg recommendations:
Overall Winner – Go with Happy Egg Free Range for certified humane conditions and real free-range freedom. They offer the highest ethics and quality despite a higher price.
Best Value – Marketside‘s Cage-Free eggs offer a solid affordable option at $2.57/dozen for avoiding the very worst cage confinement, albeit with weaker verification.
Best for Nutrition – For superior nutrition from enriched hen diets, Eggland‘s Best organic eggs are a good choice.
Best on a Budget – For extreme savings and decent quality, Great Value eggs get the job done. Just don‘t expect stellar ethics.
For Vegans – Skip the eggs altogether and grab a carton of JUST Egg made from mung beans. Same taste at a competitive price!
Storing Eggs Like a Pro
Keep your eggs fresh longer with proper storage. Here are some tips:
- Store eggs in their carton in the coldest part of the fridge (not the door)
- Don‘t wash eggs until ready to use them
- Use within 3 weeks for freshest quality
- Crack eggs into a bowl before cooking to check for blood spots
Air cells in eggs grow over time, causing them to float in water when older. But a float test isn‘t foolproof – when in doubt, throw it out!
Simple & Healthy Egg Recipes
Looking for ideas to use up those eggs? Here are two of my go-to recipes:
Baked Oatmeal Egg Cups
Makes 12
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- Fruit like berries or bananas
Stir dry ingredients together. Mix in wet ingredients. Scoop batter into greased muffin tin holes. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes. Top with fruit!
Southwest Egg Scramble
Serves 4
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 8 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper
- Salsa
- Cheese
- Avocado
- Tortillas
Saute onion and pepper in oil. Pour in eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in salsa and cheese. Serve egg scramble with avocado in tortillas. Delicious!
The Final Take on Buying Eggs at Walmart
Walmart does offer unbeatable prices on eggs. But the bargains often come with ethical tradeoffs in how hens are treated. As a shopper, you can vote with your dollars by:
- Sticking to name brands or Happy Egg for more confidence in claims
- Comparing prices between sizes and varieties
- Seeing third-party humane certification as the gold standard
- Avoiding the very cheapest eggs to reduce supporting factory farm conditions
- Exploring egg alternatives if desired for a vegan lifestyle
What do you look for in picking eggs ethically while sticking to a budget? Let me know in the comments!