On Thursday, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 1.2 million eggs will be distributed to food banks throughout New York as a unique part of a settlement in a price gouging lawsuit.
In the lawsuit against Hillandale Farms, the attorney general alleges that the company violated state laws, excessively pricing eggs it sold to grocery stores including BJ’s Wholesale Club and to military facilities. The eggs will be distributed to food banks across New York State, including half a million to New York City alone.
“We are assuring that these million plus eggs go to those who really need them, especially during this holy time for so many individuals, including individuals who are celebrating Easter and Passover, I cannot think of a better way to mark these holy days by providing direct help to the hungry,” James said in a press conference.
The 1.2 million eggs are equivalent to about one hundred thousand cartons. James stated in her press conference that the lawsuit alleged Hillandale gouged the price of more than four million cartons to make millions of dollars during a two-month period, from March through at least April of 2020.
“One thing that is unconscionable to me is when we uncover individuals and companies who basically put profit over people," James said.
The attorney general’s office says that additionally, under the settlement, Hillandale will also have to refrain from violating the state’s anti-price gouging laws in the future, in addition to the egg donation.
The lawsuit was filed in August 2020. Hillandale is one of the nation’s largest egg producers, according to the suit.
