From Farm to Fork: Dairy & Eggs

For many of us, starting the day includes a splash of milk in our coffee, a slice of cheese on toast, or a plate of scrambled eggs. These everyday staples—dairy and eggs—might feel simple, but their journey from farm to fork is full of care, precision, and tradition.

Unlike meat, dairy and egg production allows animals to give us food daily, sometimes for years, making their role in the food system unique and incredibly valuable.

The Journey of Milk

Dairy cows, goats, and even sheep provide milk. Here’s how the process works:

1. Milking – Dairy animals are milked 1–2 times per day, often with modern equipment that keeps things sanitary and efficient.

2. Cooling & Transport – The milk is quickly cooled to preserve freshness and then transported to processing plants.

3. Processing – Depending on the product, milk might be pasteurized (heated to kill bacteria), homogenized (to prevent cream separation), or turned into cheese, yogurt, butter, or cream.

4. Distribution – From there, dairy products make their way to grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or local delivery services.

Cows generally begin producing milk after giving birth, and with good care, they can provide milk for several years. Farmers focus on animal comfort, clean housing, and balanced diets to keep animals healthy and milk safe.

The Journey of Eggs

Eggs are another incredible farm product. Laying hens produce, on average, 5–6 eggs per week. Here’s their process:

1. Laying – Hens lay eggs in nest boxes, which are collected daily.

2. Washing & Grading – Eggs are washed, inspected, and sorted by size and quality.

3. Packaging & Distribution – They’re packed into cartons and shipped to stores—or sold directly by farmers.

Unlike meat or dairy cows, hens don’t require processing facilities to turn their product into food—the eggs you eat are essentially the same ones the farmer collected earlier that week.

Why Dairy & Eggs Matter

Milk and eggs are nutrient-dense, providing protein, calcium, healthy fats, and essential vitamins. They also represent a closer connection to farming than many other foods—you might buy eggs from a neighbor’s backyard chickens or get milk from a local creamery.

These foods also highlight important discussions:

• Animal welfare (space for hens, comfort for dairy cows).

• Sustainability (feed, water, and land use).

• Local economy (small dairies and egg farms often rely on community support).

From Farm to Your Fork

That omelet on your breakfast plate? It’s the result of a farmer’s daily rhythm of care, a hen’s hard work, or a cow’s steady contribution. Dairy and eggs remind us how much consistency and dedication farming requires—and how fresh, local versions can taste so much better.

👉 Farm-to-Fork Challenge #5: Try buying a carton of eggs or a block of cheese from a local farm or market this week. Notice the difference in freshness, flavor, and even color compared to store-bought versions.