Pete & Gerry’s Launches “The Egg Came First” Protein Report for National Egg Month
As protein continues to dominate conversations around health, wellness, and nutrition in the United States, a new consumer report from Pete & Gerry’s Organics, LLC reveals a significant shift in how Americans are approaching their daily protein intake. While the market has become saturated with protein-enhanced snacks, drinks, powders, and supplements, consumers are increasingly turning away from highly processed alternatives and embracing simple, recognizable whole foods—particularly eggs—as their preferred source of protein.
The company’s newly released report, titled “Protein Preferences: The Egg Came First,” highlights evolving consumer attitudes toward protein and offers insight into a broader movement toward minimally processed, nutrient-dense foods. According to the findings, more than 40% of Americans say they are more focused on protein today than they were five years ago, reflecting how deeply protein has become embedded in everyday dietary choices.
However, this heightened focus on protein has also introduced complexity. Grocery store shelves are now packed with protein bars, shakes, fortified cereals, snacks, and beverages, all marketed as convenient ways to boost intake. Yet consumers appear to be growing more selective, questioning not only how much protein they consume, but also the quality, source, and nutritional integrity of those products.
This shift is driving renewed appreciation for foods that are natural, familiar, and easy to understand—qualities that have placed eggs back in the spotlight.
According to the report, eggs have emerged as one of the most trusted and preferred protein sources among Americans. Two-thirds of respondents said they eat eggs every week specifically because of their protein content, reinforcing the product’s longstanding status as a household staple while underscoring its relevance in today’s modern wellness landscape.
For many consumers, eggs offer a unique balance of nutritional value, affordability, convenience, and versatility. They can be incorporated into meals throughout the day—from breakfast omelets and smoothies to salads, sandwiches, and baked dishes—making them one of the most adaptable protein options available.
“Protein has become a daily priority, but consumers are becoming more selective about how they get it,” said Tom Flocco, Chief Executive Officer of Pete & Gerry’s. “What we’re seeing is a return to basics—people are choosing real, minimally processed foods they trust. Pete & Gerry’s eggs have always delivered on that, and now there’s even greater appreciation for their simplicity, versatility and quality.”
The company believes this trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward “food transparency,” where consumers want greater clarity around what they are eating and how it was produced.
That emphasis on transparency is especially pronounced among younger generations. According to the report, more than 70% of Gen Z and Millennial consumers—those aged 18 to 34—say it is important to understand the sourcing practices behind their protein choices.
This finding suggests that younger shoppers are not simply choosing foods based on macronutrient labels. Instead, they are evaluating products more holistically, considering factors such as farming practices, animal welfare, ingredient quality, environmental impact, and ethical sourcing.
As a result, many are gravitating toward protein sources they perceive as more authentic and responsibly produced—such as humanely raised eggs.
For Pete & Gerry’s, this growing consumer priority aligns closely with the company’s core mission. Known for its commitment to humane farming practices and partnerships with small family farms, the company has built its brand around ethical egg production and transparent supply chains.
Its products—including both Pete & Gerry’s and Nellie’s Free Range Eggs—are positioned as premium egg offerings that appeal to shoppers looking for more than just nutrition. They are marketed as food choices that reflect values such as sustainability, responsible farming, and animal welfare.
The company has also invested in what it calls ongoing “egg-ucation” efforts—campaigns designed to help consumers better understand where their eggs come from, how they are produced, and why those factors matter.
This educational strategy appears well timed, as the report suggests many consumers are increasingly skeptical of heavily marketed protein products.
Among the study’s most notable findings:
- More than 4 in 10 Americans say they are more focused on protein than they were five years ago, confirming the nutrient’s growing importance in daily diets.
- Eggs ranked first as the healthiest and most trusted protein source, outperforming other options such as meat, seafood, tofu, beans, protein bars, and fortified beverages.
- Two-thirds of Americans consume eggs weekly specifically for protein.
- Most respondents believe that whole foods like eggs provide better overall nutrition than processed protein powders or bars.
- More than 70% of Gen Z and Millennials say sourcing transparency matters when making protein-related food choices.
These findings reflect an important challenge for food manufacturers. While demand for protein remains strong, consumers are signaling that not all protein is viewed equally. Simply adding extra grams of protein to a packaged product may no longer be enough to win consumer trust.
Instead, today’s shoppers appear to be prioritizing authenticity—choosing foods that feel less engineered and more natural.
This trend may also explain the enduring popularity of eggs despite increased competition from alternative proteins and plant-based innovations. Eggs have long been recognized as a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, and they require little explanation to consumers. Unlike many fortified products, eggs are viewed as inherently nutritious rather than artificially enhanced.
For brands like Pete & Gerry’s, this creates an opportunity to reinforce their leadership in the category.
“As more people question what’s in their food and how it’s produced, transparency is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s expected,” Flocco added. “That’s where we believe we can continue to lead. Our pioneership in humanely raised eggs serves as a trusted voice in the broader protein conversation.”
As Americans continue refining their eating habits, the message from Pete & Gerry’s report is clear: consumers still want protein—but increasingly, they want it in its most natural form.
And for millions of households, that means going back to one of the original and most trusted sources of all: the egg.
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