1 million eggs being distributed statewide following federal antitrust settlement

More than 1 million eggs will be distributed to communities across Hawaiʻi beginning this month through a coordinated effort involving Maui Food Bank, Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Hawaii Foodbank – Kaua‘i, The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Foodservice Alliance (HFA), and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General.

Deliveries are scheduled over nine weeks beginning the week of Sept. 14. Maui Food Bank will receive 9 pallets, or 8,100 dozen eggs, for Maui; 1.5 pallets, or 1,350 dozen eggs, for Molokaʻi; half a pallet, or 450 dozen eggs, for Lānaʻi. Hawaiʻi Foodbank will receive 63 pallets, or 56,700 dozen eggs, for distribution on Oʻahu and 5 pallets, or 4,500 dozen eggs, for Kauaʻi; and The Food Basket will receive 21 pallets, or 18,900 dozen eggs, for Hawaiʻi Island.

The 90,000 dozen eggs, approximately 1.08 million eggs, are being provided by Arizona-based Hickman’s Family Farms in connection with a federal antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice and 17 state attorneys general, including Hawaiʻi. HFA is providing logistics support to receive, store and transport the eggs for distribution statewide.

The donation comes at a time when food insecurity remains widespread across Hawaiʻi. According to The State of Food Insecurity in Hawaiʻi 2024–2025, 32 percent of Hawaiʻi households experienced food insecurity, including 21 percent that experienced very low food security, meaning household members went hungry, skipped meals or went whole days without eating because they could not afford enough food.

“We continue to see how difficult it can be for Maui County families to make ends meet, and something as basic as a carton of eggs can make a meaningful difference,” said Brandi Saragosa, CEO of Maui Food Bank. “This generous donation will help put fresh, nutritious protein on the tables of people throughout our community and provide some relief for households facing difficult choices about how to stretch their budgets.”

The US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and the participating states filed a civil lawsuit in June alleging that Hickman’s Family Farms and other egg producers coordinated to manipulate a widely used egg-price benchmark, contributing to higher prices for retailers and consumers. Proposed settlements were filed at the same time to resolve the government’s claims and prevent similar conduct in the future.

“Families across Hawaiʻi continue to feel the strain of high food prices. It is especially concerning when companies increase prices through coordinated actions and conduct that further increase food prices,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez. “Our participation in this matter is about protecting consumers and ensuring a fair marketplace. As a result of our law enforcement participation, more than one million eggs will directly benefit communities across our state. I am grateful to Hawaiʻi Foodservice Alliance for its critical logistical expertise, and the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Hawai‘i Foodbank – Kaua‘i, Maui Food Bank, and The Food Basket for their enthusiastic participation in helping us turn this enforcement initiative into something that will make a meaningful and tangible difference for families throughout Hawaiʻi.”

Community distributions will be coordinated by Maui Food Bank, Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Hawai‘i Foodbank – Kaua‘i, The Food Basket and partner agencies as shipments arrive. Distribution details will be announced locally as plans are finalized.