Eggs By the Duckload
Whatley Farm Organic Duck Eggs Are Everything They’re Quacked Up To Be
Nick Whatley opens the horse trailer for the annual “launching of the ducks.” Photo courtesy of Whatley Farm
Whatley Farm is an all-organic family farm in Topsham, Maine. The Whatleys—Ben, Laura, and Nick—grow several kinds of produce, raise pork, and create value-added products like salsa and pesto. Here at the Portland Food Co-op, Whatley Farm is known for one specific product—duck eggs.
The Co-op is the anchor of Whatley Farm’s duck egg business in Portland. The Whatleys say the positive experience they have every time at the Co-op combined with all the great restaurants to grab take-out from for the return trip makes their Portland delivery the “highlight of the week.”
Ben Whatley tends to Whatley Farm’s waddling of ducks. Photo courtesy of Whatley Farm
Like many local businesses, the pandemic has significantly shrunk some of Whatley Farm’s sales channels. To help fill that gap, the Whatleys have pivoted towards more online sales and contactless pickup at the farm and have focused on collaborating with other farms and farm stands to meet people where they’re at. The community response has been tremendous, and the Whatleys are so grateful.
But even with all the support, the Whatleys have been selling fewer eggs, and their duck just won’t slow down on laying. That’s why the Co-op is running the best deal on duck eggs we’ve ever offered!
While supplies last, everyone can get Whatley Farm local organic duck eggs for only $4.99 per half dozen (reg: $6.39). Member-Owners save even more: $4.39 per half dozen.
Duck eggs possess quite a few advantages over chicken eggs. First, they are a nutrient-dense superfood. Duck eggs have 500% more Vitamin B12, 30% more Vitamin E, 150% more Niacin, 100% more Iron, 60% more Potassium, and 40% more Magnesium per ounce than chicken eggs. The extra nutrition gives the Whatleys energy for long days tending the farm. Duck eggs also have a thicker shell and membrane than chicken eggs, so duck eggs stay fresh longer and are ideal for stocking up. Some people with chicken egg sensitivities even find they can eat duck eggs!
For many bakers, duck eggs are a secret special ingredient since they contain a much richer albumen (egg white) than chicken eggs. This helps all kinds of baked goods reach new heights, literally, resulting in higher-rising, lighter, and moister treats with a more pronounced flavor. The difference is even noticeable in simple things like pancakes and cornbread.
Wondering what can you cook with duck eggs? Everything you can with a chicken egg! Duck eggs make wonderful scrambles, omelets, quiche, and frittata. The richness complements spiced dishes like shakshuka. The flavorful extra-creamy yolk shines when cooked over-easy, and a deviled duck egg is divine. The Whatleys particularly like to make homemade mayo and aioli using duck eggs, and they whip up some tasty and texturally satisfying vinaigrettes by emulsifying them with a duck yolk.
The Whatley Farm ducks enjoy a meal of organic mixed greens grown on the farm while staying warm in their winter housing. Photo courtesy of Whatley Farm
The Whatleys love raising ducks because they’re fun to work with! One moment the Whatleys will have a calm pasture of ducks grazing and sunning. But when one duck gets spooked, it lets the whole flock know and suddenly they have a “quackaphony” on their hands. The Whatleys’ favorite event is the annual “launching of the ducks.” Every spring, the Whatleys move the ducks from winter housing into summer pastures using a horse trailer. When they open the door onto the fresh green field, the ducks fly out with reckless abandon—rapturously quacking, scrambling over and shoving each other. At that point, the Whatleys can only get out of the way!
The Whatleys are committed to raising happy ducks by providing lots of open grazing pasture and frolic-friendly watering holes. During the long winter months, organic produce from the farm allows the ducks to maintain a healthy diet of greens and veggies. The ducks are sure to let the Whatleys know their efforts are appreciated, which they show through energetic head bobbing and tail shakes!
You can find Whatley Farm local organic duck eggs in our dairy cooler. Try one today and join our many satisfied customers in saying "Dang, that was a good egg!"
Learn more about Whatley Farm at: www.whatleyfarm.com
by Nicole Byrne (Feb. 18, 2021)