Fried, boiled or scrambled, eggs are a nutrient-rich protein that make a great meal any time of day. But lately, eggs have been in short supply due to widespread outbreaks of avian flu, which have caused nationwide shortages and increased pricing.  If you've been to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's recently, you've probably seen empty refrigerators or a picked-over selection. Some people have even decided to dye potatoes for Easter instead of eggs to save money. 

Luckily, our region is home to several farms where you can pick up great-tasting local eggs—and if you've cracked open a fresh egg and admired its daffodil-yellow yolk, you know exactly what we mean.  Here are our go-to sources. 

Grove Ladder Farm

5690 Stallings Terrace, Arcadia, (941) 928-5891, groveladderfarm.com

With 12 acres of land and thousands of laying hens, eggs are always on hand at Grove Ladder Farm, which also specializes in ethically raised beef and lamb. You can also expect to find duck eggs, grassfed meat, honey and handspun Florida cracker yarn.

Beaucoop Farm

8000 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, (941) 479-2328, beaucoopfarm.com

This rustic hobby farm is much more than simply a place to buy farm-fresh eggs. Beaucoop offers workshops on topics like coop-building, gardening and composting. An appointment-only petting park with bunnies, miniature donkeys and Nigerian dwarf goats is also on-site.

Blumenberry Farms

2151 Dog Kennel Road, Sarasota, (941) 504-9474, blumenberryfarms.com

Blumenberry not only offers free-range, non-GMO eggs, but also a colorful array of organic produce like black radishes, fennel and lemongrass. As a part of the farm’s mission to care for its produce in the healthiest way, it uses natural methods of pest control, such as physically removing insects and their eggs from the fields.

Circle 6 Farm & Ranch

Duette, (813) 493-7921, circle6farm.com

Founded in 1982, Circle 6 is run by fifth-generation cattle ranchers. While the farm is located in Duette, you can find their premium quality pastured eggs, grass-fed beef and all of their other products at the Sarasota Farmers Market.

Four Daughters Farm

16010 Golf Course Road, Parrish, (941) 402-1628, four-daughters-farms.myshopify.com

Owned and operated by a couple with four little girls, Four Daughters Farm has all of your chicken-related needs—from farm-fresh eggs to all-natural, no-antibiotics chicken breasts and legs, and even chicken feet and livers. You can purchase at Gamble Greek Farms and Hunsader Farms.

Gamble Creek Farms

14950 Golf Course Road, Parrish, (941) 548-4805, gamblecreekfarms.com

Florida’s weather can be unpredictable. One afternoon it’s blindingly sunny and blisteringly hot, the next rain is pouring endlessly. At Gamble Creek, weather is never an issue. This indoor farm market not only provides customers with natural and organic eggs, produce and kombucha, but also air conditioning.

Myakka River Chicks

At this Myakka River farm, you can purchase eggs from a well-loved flock of chickens that lay a rainbow of green, blue, pink and brown eggs. The owner, Jess, affectionately refers to the hens as her "girls"; check availability and order on Facebook. 

Jessica's Organic Farm

4180 47th St., Sarasota, jessicasorganicfarm.com

Jessica's is known for its produce, but make a beeline for the cooler to pick up a dozen eggs sourced from local farms. You'll also find raw cheese and dairy products, local honey and fresh organic vegetables—much of it plucked right from the fields next door.