October 10 is observed globally as World Egg Day and this year, the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association (JEFA) will take the observance even further by declaring the entire month of October National Egg Month.

"It is important to acknowledge the work of the approximately 2,000 egg farmers in Jamaica and the fact that the island is self-sufficient in eggs is also worth celebrating", said president of the JEFA, Mark Campbell.

Campbell said that while egg farmers are faced with a number of challenges, including high feed cost, "we nevertheless produce a high quality product that we are constantly seeking to improve." He said funds have been provided by the European Union through the Government of Jamaica under the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to develop the egg industry in the island. This is being accomplished, for example, through extensive training which focuses on encouraging farmers, "to develop good agricultural practices including on-farm food safety in table egg production."

Celebrations included

Highlights of National Egg Month include a service of thanksgiving at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, St Catherine on October 5 and a visit by the members of JEFA to the Denham Town Primary School on Friday, October 10, World Egg Day. Mr Campbell said the school has been chosen because we recognise "the nutritional value of eggs and its importance in improving brain function especially in young children."

Egg facts

Did you know?

Jamaica is 100 per cent self-sufficient in eggs.

Jamaica has a total national flock of approximately 450,000 hens.

One egg has 13 essential nutrients in varying amounts - including high-quality protein, choline, folate, iron and zinc.

Eggs are rich in choline, a nutrient which aids in foetal brain development and enhances memory function later in life.

The American Heart Association's journal Circulation (June 2001) published new research showing that Lutein, a nutrient found abundantly in egg yolks may help to reduce heart disease.

A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that egg yolks contain the highest combined concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin when compared to 35 fruits and vegetables.

Each egg has just about 75 calories.

Eggs also play a role in weight management, muscle strength, healthy pregnancy, brain function, eye health and more. (source www.incredibleeggs.org)

In adults one egg can provide 15 per cent of the daily value of Folate, a B vitamin that plays an important role in preventing birth defects and cardiovascular disease.

Eggs are one of the cheapest sources of high quality protein.

Eggs are egg-cellent!

Do you make the best omelette in Jamaica? Why not let our judges decide?

Send us your recipes and we will select the best of the bunch to enter our omelette cook off during October, national egg month.

Enter to win a supply of eggs, cash and best of all bragging rights!

Send your entries to:

Eggs are Egg-cellent

c/o the Gleaner Co.,

7 North St., Kingston.

or email:Lifestyle

@gleanerjm.com