Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Wednesday that his office will facilitate the distribution of 7 million free eggs across the state. This initiative stems from settlements reached with egg producers accused of inflating prices, a move that aligns with Republican efforts to address cost-of-living concerns as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Paxton stated that Texans will be able to collect the free egg cartons from at least 17 food banks statewide. "I will continue to help our families put food on the table and do everything within my power to lower prices and help Texans who are struggling to make ends meet," Paxton said in a statement.
His office announced settlements in June with Cal-Maine Foods, Centrum/Versova, and Hickman’s Egg Ranch. These agreements followed antitrust claims alleging a conspiracy by the producers to inflate egg prices between 2022 and 2025. In addition to the egg giveaway, the producers are required to pay $3.3 million to the states that joined Texas in the antitrust action. Feeding Texas is collaborating with food banks to manage the distribution of the eggs.
The push to address affordability comes as the cost of living is a top concern for voters. A July Pew Research poll indicated that 15% of respondents want to hear more from candidates about plans to tackle the cost of living, with an additional 29% expressing general concerns about the economy.
Meanwhile, state Rep. James Talarico, who is set to challenge Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. John Cornyn, has organized a food drive. Talarico's "Love Thy Neighbor" campaign collected donations in multiple cities, including Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, and Denton, with volunteers beginning food distribution on Wednesday.
The average price for a dozen eggs in the U.S. has seen fluctuations, recently settling around $2.18 per dozen after a spike in early 2025 to over $6 per carton, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.