Selling or giving eggs away - Reusing store egg cartons o.k?

[TRAVIS KELLEY]

Here's something else to chew on...most of the laws regarding food packaging have been lobbied for by Big Ag/Big Food. The huge monied corporations that mass produce factory chickens, etc., want no competition from small producers because they can't compete with the quality offered by small producers and they don't want the little guy cutting into their profits.

The notion that they are looking out for the safety of consumers is secondary.

If you handle eggs properly, they can't be contaminated by a cardboard carton.

I'm not arguing any of that, but whether you like the reasons for the regulations or not they still exist. It is when people keep thumbing their noses at them and something does happen that the powers-that-be feel the need to slap on even more ridiculous regulations and make it even more difficult for everyone. As I stated when I put the paddles to this thread, I leave my eggs out on the counter for weeks and still eat them because I know I can, the average consumer does not know this. If I want to "legally" sell eggs in my state and be as free as possible from a possible frivolous lawsuit, or lose my rights to sell eggs and all the other products that help keep us afloat then a .30 cent egg carton is a small price to pay for that and to keep state inspectors off the backs of my neighbors who sell eggs as well. Not all can be blamed on corporate greed when people choose to ignore simple and basic laws and regulations, whether we like or agree with them or not. Get out and vote, or lobby for a change if you disagree, but in the meantime, we should abide by them so we don't ruin it for everyone.

 

[dogkahuna]

I'm not arguing any of that, but whether you like the reasons for the regulations or not they still exist. It is when people keep thumbing their noses at them and something does happen that the powers-that-be feel the need to slap on even more ridiculous regulations and make it even more difficult for everyone. As I stated when I put the paddles to this thread, I leave my eggs out on the counter for weeks and still eat them because I know I can, the average consumer does not know this. If I want to "legally" sell eggs in my state and be as free as possible from a possible frivolous lawsuit, or lose my rights to sell eggs and all the other products that help keep us afloat then a .30 cent egg carton is a small price to pay for that and to keep state inspectors off the backs of my neighbors who sell eggs as well. Not all can be blamed on corporate greed when people choose to ignore simple and basic laws and regulations, whether we like or agree with them or not. Get out and vote, or lobby for a change if you disagree, but in the meantime, we should abide by them so we don't ruin it for everyone.

If you are legally selling eggs, then you are beholden to the health inspectors of your state and you'll have to bend to their will in order to stay in business.

If you are selling eggs on the side and choose to be paranoid, that's your choice of course.

I advocate making decisions based on science and common sense. My common sense tells me to ignore "simple and basic laws and regulations" when they don't make scientific sense. Sorry but I am not part of the herd and resist excessive governmental interference.

 

[TRAVIS KELLEY]

If you are legally selling eggs, then you are beholden to the health inspectors of your state and you'll have to bend to their will in order to stay in business.

If you are selling eggs on the side and choose to be paranoid, that's your choice of course.

I advocate making decisions based on science and common sense. My common sense tells me to ignore "simple and basic laws and regulations" when they don't make scientific sense. Sorry but I am not part of the herd and resist excessive governmental interference.

Taking into consideration that you don't know the scope of my entire operation and what all is exactly at stake over a simple egg carton, I'll chalk your use of the word "paranoid" and the insinuation that I'm "part of the herd" as ignorance on your part, and will also refer you to my signature line.

My common sense tells me that it's not worth risking all I have built just to prove I know eggs better than a state inspector. Most people don't know I am required to put eggs in a new carton to sell them, but I know that and my integrity is worth much more than 30 cents. Eggs are the least profitable thing I have going on, I sell them to get people to see everything else.

I also love to see people choosing to buy local and from a small business instead of the big chain stores, so whatever I can do to keep small businesses alive. You keep on resisting your way, and I'll resist mine, but you are naive in assuming I just cow along with something simply because I don't share your affinity for breaking the law to prove a point that could put everything I have at risk.

I have posted a link to state regulations for the sake of those who may not know what their state requires, for those who do not care, you are free to continue ignoring those regulations. I'm proud to say I fought to preserve your freedom to completely ignore the law if you choose.

 

[dogkahuna]

Taking into consideration that you don't know the scope of my entire operation and what all is exactly at stake over a simple egg carton, I'll chalk your use of the word "paranoid" and the insinuation that I'm "part of the herd" as ignorance on your part, and will also refer you to my signature line.

My common sense tells me that it's not worth risking all I have built just to prove I know eggs better than a state inspector. Most people don't know I am required to put eggs in a new carton to sell them, but I know that and my integrity is worth much more than 30 cents. Eggs are the least profitable thing I have going on, I sell them to get people to see everything else.

I also love to see people choosing to buy local and from a small business instead of the big chain stores, so whatever I can do to keep small businesses alive. You keep on resisting your way, and I'll resist mine, but you are naive in assuming I just cow along with something simply because I don't share your affinity for breaking the law to prove a point that could put everything I have at risk.

I have posted a link to state regulations for the sake of those who may not know what their state requires, for those who do not care, you are free to continue ignoring those regulations. I'm proud to say I fought to preserve your freedom to completely ignore the law if you choose.

Power to you dude. I just live a different type of life.

 

[Zoomie]

I'm not arguing any of that, but whether you like the reasons for the regulations or not they still exist. It is when people keep thumbing their noses at them and something does happen that the powers-that-be feel the need to slap on even more ridiculous regulations and make it even more difficult for everyone. As I stated when I put the paddles to this thread, I leave my eggs out on the counter for weeks and still eat them because I know I can, the average consumer does not know this. If I want to "legally" sell eggs in my state and be as free as possible from a possible frivolous lawsuit, or lose my rights to sell eggs and all the other products that help keep us afloat then a .30 cent egg carton is a small price to pay for that and to keep state inspectors off the backs of my neighbors who sell eggs as well. Not all can be blamed on corporate greed when people choose to ignore simple and basic laws and regulations, whether we like or agree with them or not. Get out and vote, or lobby for a change if you disagree, but in the meantime, we should abide by them so we don't ruin it for everyone.

Thank you for your service. From the bottom of my heart.

Yeah, there are some pretty stupid laws out there, but there it it... I might think the posted speed limit is stupid (and it often is) but I can still get a ticket if I break that law. So... sigh... I don't. What I do is vote. I try and stay updated on the local issues, I try and stay updated on county commissioners I think are good and the ones I think are crap, I try and stay updated on judges who are good and who are bad. I vote for the former and not for the latter. What else can you do? Getting fined or even worse, going to jail, aren't exactly helpful in trying to get change to come about.

I would be the first to say the current laws regarding livestock and dairy are really stupid. Completely agree with that. However the law is the law. I'd like to see a lot of these laws get re-written but that's kind of tough these days, with so few people knowing about or understanding livestock and dairy. It would be really great if people who knew about these things would run for office... I tried it, got elected. Yeah. No biggie, just the local irrigation (we're considered a branch of state government, probably more like a twig) and it's surprising the amount you can do to help out the community. Even with a petty position like that.

Run for office. Try and volunteer in your community. Try and educate people. To me it's so sad how people don't know where their food comes from, and even think things like, that if they crack open a fresh egg there will be a chick in there. Every little bit helps...

 

[lazy gardener]

You'll want to scroll down to the section titled "Containers" in the link at the bottom. I am a firm believer in recycling and repurposing/using whenever and wherever I can, it's just a part of farm life. However, where there are laws to be abided by so as not to make it more difficult on other farmers, and to be sure I can continue to operate without scrutiny I may bring on myself by unlawful practices, I will render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. Your state has safe handling regulations too, as do most, how you treat those regulations is up to you. I'm just trying to provide proper information beyond opinion so people can be aware they do have regulations and the minute someone gets sued for passing along eggs in a used carton because they get blamed for the food poising from somewhere else, the law will not be on their side.

https://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/Eggs/EggInspection.aspx#Containers

This link is in reference to Washington state regulations.

 

[TRAVIS KELLEY]

This link is in reference to Washington state regulations.

I had posted this one back on page 2.
http://nerous.org/state-laws-regulations/egg-laws-by-state/

This one will pertain to your state.
https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/poultry/selling-eggs-in-maine/

 

[lazy gardener]

thank you.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

We are a small time hobby farm that sells scores of eggs. We are located in FL.
We are required to place a lable on our cartons stating NOT USDA INSPECTED OR GRADED.
We basically have a steady stream of REPEAT buyers. The same folks who have been returning weekly/bi weekly. We really don't go out of our way to advertise to take on more customers.
OUR SYSTEM:
Mostly our eggs are stored refrigerated in FLATS. When our regulars come they almost always bring ample cartons. We load them up accordingly and return them to owner. A perk to that system is that the owner of the cartons keeps them clean! We have had others who just donate and give us a bag full and some people are in the habit of cracking open an egg and placing the empty dripping shell back in the carton! We trash them if we receive one.

Our donation cartons are placed spread out on a table in the sun, visually inspected for yoke. Then we have a spray bottle filled with 60% Listerene / 40% water. We mist the cartons and sun dry them.
We print labels out with of printer with our farm name, address, phone number and of course.. Not GRADED or USDA inspected.. and of course... Thanks for supporting our family farm.
They are stacked up in sealed cardboard boxes waiting to be put into service.
We don't sell to stores or set up at the local farmers market. We have been blessed to have a steady stream of faithful followers who return because we offer a high quality product at a low price from not having to charge extra for brand new containers. That extra 28-50¢ off the sale, makes a huge difference in our neck of the woods.

 

[bjmoose]

Where are you folks getting egg cartons for 30 cents?

I looked on eggcartons.com and for any kind of small quantity, they're a buck.

Even at qty 400, they're like 50cents each.

Are you buying in huge quantity, or is there some other supplier?