On March 18, Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) met with the owner of The Wooden Spoon, a breakfast restaurant, to hear how rising egg prices are affecting small businesses and consumers in Kansas. After their discussion, Davids announced new efforts to address the issue.

The sharp increase in egg prices is due to the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, which has caused large losses in poultry populations. Over 166 million birds have been affected since February 2022. While Kansans face higher egg prices, the country’s largest egg producer saw a huge increase in profits.

Davids is supporting the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification (HPAI) Act, which would provide fair compensation to all farms affected by the flu, including those in buffer zones. She also called for more government action to help farmers and reduce egg prices.