From shell to shelf, NestFresh ethically produces and delivers versatile egg products
In an industry often plagued by greenwashing and misleading marketing, NestFresh stands out by truly living up to its promises and values. A firm believer that happy hens produce the finest eggs, the company takes pride in letting its hens roam freely outdoors where they get to live their best lives. Moreover, NestFresh is dedicated to providing its farmers with a living wage that empowers them to keep their own land and feed their families well. Vice President Jasen Urena introduces us to the company in more depth.
“An integral part of Hidden Villa Ranch, which has been in operation for over 45 years, NestFresh was established in the 1990s. NestFresh is owned by Tim Luberski, who also founded Hidden Villa Ranch as a small egg distribution business while attending college. Initially, he distributed eggs from the Inland Empire of Southern California to food service restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles. As he finished his studies at USC, he continued to expand the business. A few years later, Tim ventured into retail and started focusing on specialty eggs, which led to the creation of NestFresh, a specialty egg brand founded on animal welfare and family farming. NestFresh was one of the first brands in the US to be certified Cage-Free by Certified Humane.
Over the years, we have continued on that path of innovation and achieving notable firsts, such as being the first Non-GMO Project-verified egg brand in the country, the first Regenerative Organic Certified egg brand, and, since last July, the first brand to offer humanely hatched eggs in the US,” he begins.
Extensive product portfolio
The realm of eggs is broad and far-reaching, and NestFresh is dedicated to offering eggs in various formats to cater to the diverse needs of its clientele. “We offer and distribute a full gamut of egg products. Originally, the majority of our business was focused on shell eggs. Our selection includes everything from cage-free and free-range to pasture raised organic, regenerative organic, and Non-GMO Project Verified eggs. We also have a brand called The Country Hen Eggs, which specializes in eggs with nutritional enhancements such as EPA and DHA omega-3s, choline, vitamin D and zinc. All these nutrients are delivered through a proprietary feed formula. Over time, we expanded into liquid eggs for retail, which we offer in 16-ounce and 32-ounce Gables Top containers, including both liquid egg whites and liquid egg substitutes.
“Additionally, we provide a wide variety of bulk liquid egg products for manufacturing, ranging from bag-in-box solutions for food service restaurants to totes and tankers of egg whites, whole eggs, and egg yolks for various types of customers. Within our hard-cook plant, we prepare hard-cooked eggs for retail, food service, and manufacturing, ideal for salads and similar applications. Our retail offerings include two-count packs perfect for grab-and-go consumption, providing a great amount of clean protein for snacking, and six-count packs designed to be taken home and used for meal preparation throughout the week. We also supply dried egg powders for baking applications and more,” Jasen expands.
Sustainable and ethical practices
Research and development have been vital to the diversification of NestFresh’s product range. With an expanded portfolio of delicate egg products, expertly managed logistics are a non-negotiable for the company to ensure that all products are delivered intact. To this end, NestFresh has established partnerships with Logistimax, a logistics firm dedicated to supporting its mission. “Every aspect of our business running smoothly is crucial for success, including logistics, and Logistimax is an excellent logistics provider. We can produce eggs to the highest of standards, but if we are unable to get them delivered to grocery stores or warehouses safely, our efforts go to waste. Logistimax has been a fantastic partner in making sure that our eggs reach our grocery and retail partners safely and without damage. I can confidently say that Logistimax has been an integral part of what we do,” Jasen affirms.
In addition to ensuring the safe delivery of its products, NestFresh is committed to optimizing its production processes and boosting supply chain efficiency through the adoption of technology. One of the most exciting advancements in the industry is in-ovo sexing technology, which NestFresh utilizes to determine the sex of an embryo before it hatches. This not only streamlines operations but also supports its sustainability efforts. In-ovo sexing technology was introduced in Europe several years ago, so European producers have benefited from this innovation for some time. There are different types of in-ovo sexing technology, and NestFresh has opted for a system called Cheggy. This machine uses hyperspectral light imaging to scan the eggs, allowing computers to see through the egg and take multiple photographs of the inside of the egg. Then, the system can accurately identify whether each egg will produce a male or female chick, all within the early stages of the incubation process.
Once NestFresh has been able to determine the sex of the embryos with the machine, the female eggs are placed back into the incubator to complete their incubation process and hatch normally. Conversely, the male eggs are diverted into an alternative processing stream that allows them to be upcycled into different types of products. For instance, they can be upcycled to become proteins for animal feed or incorporated into fertilizers used in agricultural processes. This approach prevents NestFresh from having to incubate and subsequently euthanize male chicks, aligning with its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.
By championing animal welfare, achieving ground-breaking certifications, and leveraging technology like in-ovo sexing, NestFresh shows that success does not need to come at the expense of responsibility and ethics.