Westrom helps champion bill to provide more access to fresh eggs at Minnesota food shelves

On Wednesday, March 17, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved bipartisan legislation that would expand access to fresh eggs at Minnesota food shelves and other charitable food assistance programs.

Senate File 3891, co-authored by Sen. Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria), who is the Republican lead of the Senate Agriculture Committee, would allow eggs past their quality assurance date to be donated instead of discarded, provided they meet specific safety and labeling requirements. Under the bill, “quality assurance date” refers to the date after which a manufacturer reasonably determines a product may begin to lose quality due to spoilage or other natural factors.

“This bipartisan bill will help crack open more access to fresh food for Minnesota families in need while ensuring safe, usable eggs don’t go to waste,” Westrom said. “It’s an opportunity to provide nutritious, protein-rich food and reduce waste.”

Current Minnesota law prohibits eggs from being sold or donated after their quality assurance date. SF 3891 would create an exception for charitable donations if the eggs meet the following conditions:

  • In original packaging;
  • Candled and graded;
  • Continuously refrigerated;
  • Distributed to the end consumer within 30 days past the original quality assurance date; and
  • Labeled with the distributor’s name, a “distribute by” date and the statement: “Donated Eggs — Not for Resale.”
This common-sense suggestion was brought to Westrom and others, and the Senate is listening and responding by working to make eggs more available to food shelves and other organizations helping families in need. In committee, Westrom concluded by saying the bill was “no yolk” and that it was an “eggcellent” idea, just before it passed unanimously out of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
SF 3891 will now move to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.