California farm donates hundreds of thousands of eggs to wildfire victims and first responders

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) — As consumers face skyrocketing egg prices and widespread shortages, a California farm is donating hundreds of thousands of fresh eggs to people affected by last month's devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles Area.

The 100-year-old family-owned Rosemary Farm in Santa Maria said it's working with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the nonprofit Gather For Good to get some 270,000 eggs to residents who lost homes in the Eaton and Palisades fires.

In addition, nearly 55,000 eggs will go to firefighters and other first responders, according to a statement from the farm.

Other eggs will be used by the LA bakery Winter Fate Bakes to make birthday cakes for displaced children.

Egg prices reached a record high in the U.S. last month, mostly as a result of a nationwide bird flu outbreak. When the virus is found on a farm, the entire flock is killed to limit its spread.

Egg farmers also face higher costs for feed, fuel and labor because of inflation. They are also investing more in biosecurity measures to try to protect their birds.

Some grocers have imposed limits on how many eggs customers can buy at a time.