Egg Farmers Commit $1 Million to Bring Protein-Rich Eggs to School Breakfasts

Partnership with USDA and HHS aims to make eggs more accessible and affordable for school meal programs nationwide.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:44pm

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The American Egg Board announced a $1 million investment to expand access to egg-based breakfast options in schools across the country. The initiative is supported by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and White House Senior Advisor Calley Means, who praised eggs as a nutritious, protein-packed food for students.

Why it matters

The new federal Dietary Guidelines place eggs at the top of the protein pyramid, and the FDA's Healthy Food designation confirms eggs as an inherently healthy food that supports overall health and development. This investment aims to get more real, whole food protein into school meals to fuel students throughout the day.

The details

The $1 million will fund new recipes, equipment adaptations, school district partnerships, and the development of affordable egg products designed for school kitchens. The goal is to make eggs more accessible, convenient, and cost-effective for school meal programs to provide a protein-rich breakfast option.

  • The announcement was made on April 1, 2026.
  • The initiative builds on a recent nationwide egg donation drive that delivered over 9.7 million eggs to food banks.

The players

American Egg Board

The organization representing America's egg farmers, committed $1 million to expand access to egg-based breakfast options in schools.

Brooke Rollins

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who gathered federal leaders and stakeholders to discuss the role of eggs in school breakfasts.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who praised eggs as a clean, high-protein food for students.

Calley Means

White House Senior Advisor, who discussed the importance of getting more whole-food, high-protein options like eggs into government meal programs.

Andrew Seger

Chairman of the American Egg Board and chief financial officer of Wabash Valley Foods.

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What they’re saying

“America's egg farmers are proud of the eggs we produce, and we are grateful to Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for their support of real food and America's farmers. We want to support our children in having a protein-packed breakfast that fuels them all day and promotes their brain development. Eggs are the solution — and we are putting our money where our mission is.”

— Andrew Seger, Chairman, American Egg Board

“This is a perfect opportunity to highlight what an incredible source of protein eggs are for American families, especially as we're rewriting what it means to eat real food and make America healthy again. Eggs are as real as food gets — farm-fresh, completely natural, minimally processed and a source of eight essential nutrients. In the new Dietary Guidelines, eggs are listed first among the recommended proteins, and that's a big deal.”

— Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

“We have flipped the food pyramid and eggs are up top. Eggs are a wonderful, clean source of protein. They help kids with focus, brain development, eye health, and two eggs are cheaper than the donut kids get in schools. This is a wonderful source of American-made protein for the American table and we are very, very proud to be part of this effort.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

What’s next

The American Egg Board will work with school districts nationwide to execute egg-based breakfast pilot programs and develop new affordable egg products designed for school kitchens.

The takeaway

This investment in bringing more protein-rich, whole-food eggs to school breakfasts aligns with the new federal Dietary Guidelines and the broader push to improve the nutritional quality of meals served to America's students, supporting their health, focus, and development.