Indiana Non-Profit Delivers 9 Million Eggs to Fight Protein Gap

HATCH for Hunger partners with American Egg Board and local producers to bring vital nutrition to families in need

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:33pm

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A non-profit organization called HATCH for Hunger, based in Carmel, Indiana, has teamed up with the American Egg Board and several local egg producers to deliver over 9 million eggs to more than 20 food banks across 15 different markets. This effort aims to help close the estimated 800 million pound 'protein gap' that food banks face in providing nutrient-rich foods to families struggling with food insecurity.

Why it matters

Access to protein-rich foods is a critical component of addressing hunger and food insecurity in the U.S. By mobilizing farmers, industry groups, and communities to fill this 'protein gap', initiatives like HATCH for Hunger's egg donation drive are not only meeting immediate nutritional needs, but also investing in the long-term health, development, and opportunities of millions of Americans facing food insecurity.

The details

Through their recent nationwide egg donation drive, HATCH for Hunger delivered over 9 million eggs to more than 20 food banks in 15 different markets across the country. This effort was heavily supported by several Indiana-based egg producers, including MPS Egg Farms, Wabash Valley Eggs, and Rose Acre Farms. In addition, the American Egg Board has announced a $1 million investment to expand egg-based breakfast options in schools, further increasing access to protein-rich foods for children in need.

  • HATCH for Hunger recently teamed up with the American Egg Board for a nationwide egg donation drive.
  • Through this effort, they delivered over 9 million eggs to more than 20 food banks in 15 different markets across the country.

The players

HATCH for Hunger

A non-profit organization based in Carmel, Indiana that is working to close the 'protein gap' in food banks and provide nutrient-rich foods to families in need.

American Egg Board

An industry group that has partnered with HATCH for Hunger and announced a $1 million investment to expand egg-based breakfast options in schools nationwide.

MPS Egg Farms

An Indiana-based egg producer that supported HATCH for Hunger's recent egg donation drive.

Wabash Valley Eggs

An Indiana-based egg producer that supported HATCH for Hunger's recent egg donation drive.

Rose Acre Farms

An Indiana-based egg producer that supported HATCH for Hunger's recent egg donation drive.

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What they’re saying

“In food banks across the country, there is a protein gap estimated to be at roughly 800 million pounds. That means that while families may be getting the caloric volume that they require, they're not always getting the nutrients.”

— Hannah Kruger-Burton, Director of Marketing and Communications, HATCH for Hunger

“That is protein that could be supporting brain health and muscle health—it could be supporting the development of children. It could be the difference between a passed test or a nailed job interview, and that is a fight that we are trying to help solve.”

— Hannah Kruger-Burton, Director of Marketing and Communications, HATCH for Hunger

What’s next

The American Egg Board has announced a $1 million farmer-funded investment to expand egg-based breakfast options in schools across the country, further increasing access to protein-rich foods for children in need.

The takeaway

By partnering with farmers, industry groups, and local communities, non-profit organizations like HATCH for Hunger are taking innovative steps to address the 'protein gap' in food banks and ensure families in need have access to the vital nutrients required for health, development, and opportunity.