Says eggs are a good deal

The Saturday, Jan. 28 edition of the Times had yet another editorial cartoon spotlighting the cost of eggs. Poor eggs! They seem to have become the poster child for inflation, and I think it’s somewhat unfair. The increase in the price of eggs has as much to do with avian flu affecting supplies as it does with the overall increase in the cost of living.

I love eggs, and despite the rapid increase in price, they are still a good value. I get five breakfasts from a dozen eggs for less than $5. I can also make a breakfast casserole with a dozen eggs and a few other ingredients that feeds eight people for less than $10. Is that so bad?

Historically, $4.25 for a dozen eggs isn’t really that expensive. I did some research and calculating 50 years ago, a dozen eggs cost 78 cents. Factoring in the inflation rate over those 50 years, the cost for a dozen eggs should be $5.02.

Using the same methodology, milk should cost $4.44 for a half-gallon, bacon should be $8.56 a pound, 10 pounds of potatoes should be $8.82, and a pound of round steak should be $11.26.

Compare that to the price of gas, which should only be $2.51 or a new car, which should only be around $22,000.

Food prices in general, and egg prices in particular, have been a bargain for Americans for many years, and our farmers have been the ones who have been hurt by their own hard work. They have been extremely successful in growing an abundance of food, which has kept supplies high and prices low.

We need to be grateful our food prices are not higher and stop bashing the poor egg.

Dennis Cope,

Arendtsville