Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that more than 1.7 million free eggs have already been delivered to state food banks, with an additional 5.3 million eggs expected in the coming weeks. The distribution is part of a statewide effort following an antitrust settlement with three major egg producers.
The eggs are being distributed as part of settlements reached in June with Cal-Maine Foods, Centrum/Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch, resolving allegations that the companies conspired to inflate egg prices between 2022 and 2025. The settlements were negotiated by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice and a coalition of state attorneys general.
Under the agreements, the companies will donate more than 7 million eggs to Texas food banks and pay a combined $3.3 million to participating states. The distributions are being coordinated with Feeding Texas, the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, with 17 food banks participating in the effort.
Key allocations include:
- Houston Food Bank: 1,544,400 eggs
- North Texas Food Bank (Plano): 842,400 eggs
- Tarrant Area Food Bank (Fort Worth): 842,400 eggs
- Other food banks in Austin, San Antonio, Tyler, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Laredo, Odessa, Pharr, Beaumont, Amarillo, Lubbock, Victoria, Abilene, and Wichita Falls will also receive eggs.
Paxton stated in a press release that the initiative aims to assist families facing financial strain. “After securing 7 million eggs for the people of Texas, I am excited to announce that Texans will now have an opportunity to receive cartons of free eggs in communities across the state,” he said. “I will continue to help our families put food on the table and do everything within my power to lower prices and help Texans who are struggling to make ends meet.”
The settlements resolve claims that the egg producers allegedly coordinated bids submitted to Urner Barry Publications, an industry price-reporting index. The companies have not admitted to wrongdoing and maintain that their actions were legal.
The broader settlement involves 53 million eggs being distributed across 17 states, with Texas receiving the largest share. Legal experts have noted that distributing such a large quantity of perishable goods presents logistical challenges, though state officials have not indicated delays in the process.
Food banks began receiving eggs this week, with full distribution expected to continue over the next several months.