Eggs are ‘nature’s multi-vitamin’

We have joined forces with an egg producer in the area this month (August, 2017) to help highlight the benefits of eating British eggs.

We are working with John and Mandy Widdowson from Exe Valley Eggs near Stoodleigh to promote the use of free range eggs.

Eggs contain a wealth of vitamins and minerals and are one of the best sources of high quality protein. There are only around 80 calories in a large egg, which means they are great if you’re on a diet or want to eat healthily.

Also new research out in June’s issue of Complete Nutrition, highlights the growing scientific literature linking regular egg consumption with tangible outcomes such as muscle function and vascular health. Its unique combination of high quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals means it could be called ‘nature’s multi-vitamin’.

Exe Valley Eggs sells to retailers, restaurants, cafés, pubs and hotels across Devon. The family-run farm supplies eggs laid by hens that roam freely during the day in fields above the Exe Valley. The farm is inspected to RSPCA welfare standards by the organisation’s independently certified farm assurance scheme.

The business was established more than 25-years-ago as a partnership between John and Mandy and John’s in-laws Brian and Gay Grimston. The entire family, including the Widdowson daughters Nicola and Lucy, have played their part in the life of the farm, but John, with the backing of a dedicated workforce, now has day-to-day responsibility.

John says: “We were one of the first farms to recognise the benefits of providing hens with overhead outdoor cover, which gives them the confidence to range more freely. This provides them not only a healthier lifestyle, but a chance to enrich their diet from natural pasture.

“We initially planted more than 5,000 trees and the immediate success of our project was such that it led to the creation of a specific brand of Woodland Eggs now sold by a major supermarket.

“When the hens do go indoors they have the best of feed and facilities including large, straw-strewn scratch areas where they can continue to do what hens like best. They live in five separate flocks spread across the farm which also encourages them to enjoy the natural life.”

Check out our next blog for a handy recipe and more info on the benefits of using eggs.