Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. is delighted to provide farm fresh, organic eggs from our flock of chickens, ducks, and geese to the Spokane area. But what should you, as a consumer, look for in your eggs? Read on to find out.

Freshness

Freshness can be determined several ways. If you place an egg in a cold cup of water, it will sink if it is fresh and float if it is old. Furthermore, when you break open the egg, its consistency should remain firm and the yolk stand up round. An old egg will spread out and have a flattened yolk. Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. always puts a packing date on each egg carton we sell so that you can be assured the eggs you are getting are fresh. According to the USDA, fresh eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 weeks without spoiling. Some people find that duck and goose eggs keep even longer due to their thicker shells, but if you choose to use an egg after it is more than 5 weeks old, please use caution. Mountain Valley View Farm is not responsible for any illness you may incur.

Eggshell Color

Eggshells can vary widely in color, although the most common are white and brown. The eggshell color varies from breed to breed, and has no real significance to nutritional value or quality of the egg. However, it is interesting to note that most commercial egg producers use breeds that lay white eggs because these chickens eat less and lay a higher quantity of eggs, and they are looking only at the bottom line. These chickens are usually kept in small cages and are given antibiotics that end up tainting the eggs with chemicals. Small farms like Mountain Valley View generally prefer breeds like the Rhode Island Red, who lay brown eggs and are better at foraging for food, making them ideal free-range birds. Mountain Valley View has several breeds of chicken that lay brown eggs, as well as the Araucana which lays gorgeous, vibrantly blue or blue-green eggs. Our ducks also lay some blue-ish eggs, and the Cayuga breed lays eggs with a speckled black and white shell, even occasionally an all-black shell. All our birds are free-range, hormone and antibiotic free.

Egg White

The egg white of a raw egg is translucent, and only turns white after the egg is cooked. A somewhat yellow or green tint to the raw egg white is nothing to worry about: it indicates a high content of riboflavin. Similarly, a cloudy egg white is not a problem and indicates a very fresh egg.

Egg Yolk

The color of the egg yolk can vary due to the diet of the hen that laid the eggs. Caged hens on commercial farms receive a less diverse and nutritious diet than the free-range hen, so commercial eggs often have a lighter-colored yolk. A free-range hen will generally consume plenty of plants with yellow/orange pigments known as xanthophylls. These pigments are deposited in the yolk, turning it a bright yellow; and the xanthophylls become carotene, which is the precursor to Vitamin A. Hens who roam green pasture will produce darker yolks, and these are also more nutritious than commercial eggs.

Blood Spots

Blood spots are rare, but when you do find one, don't worry. It is actually an indicator that the egg is very fresh, and there is nothing wrong with the egg in any way. Rather than indicating a fertilized egg, the blood spot is caused by a rupture of a blood vessel during formation of the egg. If you are still concerned, you may simply use a knife to cut away that portion of the egg and eat the rest.

Benefits of Organic Eggs

Organic eggs are extremely nutritious and contain significantly higher ratios of Vitamins A and E, Omega 3, and beta carotene than commercially produced eggs. They are also lower in cholesterol and saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for anyone concerned about their health. Furthermore, trace chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers have been detected in commercial eggs, and many of these chickens are given growth hormones and antibiotics to make them produce more. Chickens at Mountain Valley View Farm are fed an all-natural grain and allowed to roam and forage for food to supplement their diet. We do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers on our farm, nor do we give our animals growth hormones or antibiotics, so you can be assured that our eggs will not have the toxins so common to commercially produced eggs. You will also love the taste of our eggs, as studies have shown that organic eggs from hens that eat a varied diet have a noticeably stronger and more pleasing flavor than commercial eggs.

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You may purchase farm fresh, organic eggs directly at the Mountain Valley View Farm, located at:

4301 S Chapman Rd
Greenacres, WA 99016

Or find us at the following area farmer’s markets:

Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed – Fri

Spokane Farmers’ Market
5th Ave between Division & Brown
Spokane, WA 99210
8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wed & Sat

Spokane Northside Farmers’ Market
315 E. Francis
Spokane, WA 99205
Wed 3 – 7 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

South Perry Farmers’ Market
924 South Perry Street
Spokane, WA 99202
3-7pm Thurs

New Ponderosa Outdoor Market
4102 S. Bowdish
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
3-7 pm Tues

You can also arrange to have products delivered to your home. Delivery charge will vary depending on your location. Call 509-928-1800 for more information, or to schedule a time to pick up your delicious organic eggs!