Local egg prices on the rise; area supply holds on

While there was some empty space on the refrigerated shelves at Freshtown in Amenia on Feb. 14, eggs were available in a range of prices and varieties.
Photo by Krista A. Briggs
While there was some empty space on the refrigerated shelves at Freshtown in Amenia on Feb. 14, eggs were available in a range of prices and varieties.
With avian flu continuing to compromise the wellbeing of domestic American fowl, egg shortages have been reported across the United States.
Some shops with eggs in stock are increasing prices and imposing limits on the number of purchases per customer. But it’s not just consumers who are feeling the pinch of egg shortages and pricing increases. Restaurants are also being impacted.
In Northern Dutchess, eggs remain for sale, be it at the gas station, the market or a farm.
In the local area, eggs for sale are at price points higher than the national average, which generally tends to be the case with New York state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor as reported on USDA.gov in January, the average national price of a carton of eggs was listed at $4.95 per dozen — up $0.81 per dozen from December 2024.
According to a statement on the USDA website posted on Jan. 31 regarding New York eggs, “Prices are up 7 cents for extra-large and large and 9 cents higher for medium ... Demand is moderate to good. Offerings are very light. Supplies are very light to moderate. Market activity is active.”
Locally, egg prices are mixed within a certain range with no clear explanation as to the variables in pricing, product and venue.
Local egg prices
On Feb. 12, eggs could be found at Cumberland Farms on Route 44 in Millerton for $7.99/dozen. A few doors down at the Gulf station, prices were not displayed, perhaps in response to fluctuations in the market, but eggs were stocked on their shelves.
On Feb. 14, Freshtown in Amenia featured multiple refrigerated shelves of eggs with pricing contingent on size and color. A standard carton of medium eggs was listed at $7.49/dozen while a carton of jumbo eggs was listed at $9.49/dozen. Extra-large brown eggs were listed at $8.99. Specialty eggs were also found on their shelves. Legacy’s large brown free-range eggs were priced at $6.99/dozen. Eggland’s Best organic brown eggs were priced at $8.49. Vital Farms pasture-raised large brown eggs were listed at $9.99/dozen.
That same day, local eggs from the Sharon Farm in East Canaan, Connecticut, were spotted for sale at Sharon Market at $7.99/dozen. While the number of cartons was limited in comparison to Freshtown, farm-fresh eggs were ready for purchase in varying shades of brown. Egg size was not listed on the label.
Peck’s Market in Pine Plains offered plenty of eggs on its shelves and featured pricing ranging from under $6.00 for a dozen large white cage-free eggs from Noah’s Pride to $7.59/dozen for brown free-range Grade A eggs. A dozen eggs, size indeterminate, at Millbrook Beef & Dairy listed at $8.00/dozen. The cashier stated their eggs are gathered fresh and sold on the same day. Indeed, only one carton remained available for purchase on Friday, Feb. 14 in the afternoon.
Sandy Sherman, proprietor of the Talk of the Towne deli in Millerton, has witnessed past price jumps in eggs. Sherman noted previous fluctuation in egg pricing typically resulted in decreases as avian flu ran its generally seasonal course, but she is concerned about the 2025 increase, which she doesn’t anticipate trending downward anytime soon. According to Sherman, she is now paying $90 for 15 dozen eggs as opposed to $50 per 30 dozen, which is what she paid last year. Sourcing eggs has been an issue for Talk of the Towne, but only because one of its suppliers is no longer in the business.
While Sherman hasn’t revised menu pricing and would prefer to steer clear of price increases altogether, she hasn’t ruled it out entirely, saying, “If it [egg supply pricing] keeps going, we’ll have to.”
As with Sherman, Jessica LeJeune, manager of the Oakhurst Diner in Millerton, has also seen previous pricing fluctuations with eggs, but costs remain the same for its customers.
LeJeune, however, remains optimistic that the situation will change, saying, “We’ve seen this trend before.” LeJeune was quick to point out the Oakhurst periodically enacts slight across-the-board price tweaks due to rising costs. She also maintained the diner has no plans to utilize egg substitutes or other less expensive options.
For anyone who has opted against paying high egg prices, whether in restaurants or stores, there is an alternative, premises-permitting. Kristen Maillet of Agway, in conjunction with her husband, Frank, has been tending her own flock of egg-laying chickens at home for the past 2-1/2 years. While her flock produces fewer eggs in the winter, which is when chickens can molt, Maillet conveyed some eggs have been laid, a number which can double in the summer. Maillet has opted against selling eggs, preferring to share extras with friends or coworkers.
Costs per adult laying hens can range in the region from $20-$30 per bird with monthly costs for feed running around $15/bag. In addition to feed, Maillet also provides fruit and vegetables to her flock whenever possible. She and her husband guard their chickens carefully with a predator-proof coop from the ground to the sky, with Maillet noting, “It’s like Fort Knox.”
For more information on starting a chicken flock, visit: agway.com, navigate to “Events” and select “2025 Chick List.”
While eggs have become more expensive in Northern Dutchess, price points throughout the region are more or less in line with Hudson Valley egg pricing. This past weekend, prices for a carton of large white eggs ranged from $4.49/dozen for Eggland’s Best to approximately $11 for an 18-pack of Vital Farms brown eggs at Foodtown in Cold Spring in Putnam County. At Adams Fairacre Farms in Wappingers Falls, the starting price for a carton of large eggs, white or brown, was listed at $7.49 with prices gradually increasing by egg size.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
The North East Community Center's Early Learning Program uses the research-based Creative Curriculum, which features a flexible, play-based approach with lots of time outdoors.
MILLERTON — In its third year, the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program has become a vibrant, nurturing space for children and an invaluable resource for families in Dutchess County, an area identified as a child care desert by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. There are openings in both the toddler and preschool rooms for children ages 18 months to five years.
The ELP follows what’s known as the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood program that builds confidence, creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, project-based learning.
“Kids are natural explorers,” said Emily Redmond, Early Childhood Programs Director. “Oftentimes, they tell us what they need to learn, so we leave plenty of room to follow the child.”
Before joining NECC, Redmond spent 13 years at Washington Montessori School in Connecticut, working in both classroom and administrative roles.
She explained that the Creative Curriculum allows teachers to stay flexible and build on children’s natural curiosity. For instance, worms appearing on the playground after a rainstorm can spark endless questions, leading to unexpected learning opportunities in math, science and beyond.
Redmond noted that children in the ELP practice pre-writing skills, work with small manipulatives to build fine motor skills, immerse themselves in nature and hone social-emotional skills. All the while, NECC’s team of educators understand that play is central to early childhood development.
One thing that sets the ELP apart from other child care programs, Redmond said, is “the mythical Chef Lenny.” Lenny Sutton, NECC’s longtime food service coordinator, prepares multiple meals and snacks for the kids each day in the on-site commercial kitchen, often using locally sourced ingredients. Known for his colorful aprons and bubbly personality, he has even been spotted in the classroom playing a few songs on the guitar.
So beloved is Chef Lenny that some students incorporate his role into their own play at home, pretending to cook and serve just like him. “Not many child care programs have an on-site chef to prepare daily meals,” laughed Redmond.
The only thing more colorful or bubbly than Chef Lenny is the new classroom fish tank, a favorite feature that provides both a calming presence and learning opportunities. A lively mix of fish adds to the ambiance, including several types of goldfish, a student-favorite pictus catfish, one powder blue gourami, a halfmoon blue betta, two dalmatian mollies and more.
The ELP is fully licensed by New York State, allowing NECC to accept state subsidies and help families access financial assistance.
“We truly value all forms of diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, and as a hallmark of NECC’s mission we strive to eliminate barriers to accessing quality education,” said Redmond, noting that the organization’s Family Programs department can provide support throughout the application process, including bilingual assistance.
NECC’s Early Learning Program is a New York Office of Children and Family Services-licensed day care center located at 11 Park Street in Millerton. Contact emily@neccmillerton.org for more information.