Until the coronavirus disrupted life, most Napa County residents never knew of The Hen Pen Farms or Emma Rasmussen because she and the farm sold directly to bakeries, restaurants and other retailers. However, over the course of the past year, Rasmussen — “the Egg Lady” — has become a household name.
It was the third week of March 2020 when the first Napa County Shelter-at-Home Order abruptly closed restaurants, which immediately trickled down to food suppliers including The Hen Pen Farms and Rasmussen.
“We had a whole lot of eggs and nowhere to sell them,” she said.
Rasmussen immediately sprang into action to offer the eggs directly to consumers. “I originally parked my temperature-controlled delivery van and sold at Sutherland Park until I was forced to move. At first, I thought this would be a horrible thing, but the lovely folks over at the Elks Lodge offered up their parking lot for me. I have been there every Tuesday since.”
She also began offering home delivery three days per week to accommodate customers that could not pick up on Tuesdays, such as those in quarantine due to the virus or otherwise homebound.
To further build her new direct-to-consumer business, Rasmussen added other items for purchase such as the farm’s honey as well as artisan charcuterie and cheeses. “The company we partnered with for cheese and charcuterie is Cream and the Crop Cheese Selections, a San Francisco-based distributor. They have a wonderful assortment of cheeses and meats that we offer to all our customers.”
Future business strategies include more collaborative efforts and easier ordering. “We are partnering with Napa Valley Produce once they get their produce boxes put together. We are going to offer all of our items on their website as well, once it is fully up and operational, and help them roll out their boxes to all of our current customers,” confirmed Rasmussen. There are also plans to partner with a yet-to-be-determined bakery to offer some fresh baked goods.
The Hen Pen Farms will also move to online preordering. “Right now, it is all done manually, and we think that making it more automated would also make it more efficient for everyone,” said Rasmussen.
It was in the Facebook group, Support Napa Valley Restaurants! that I discovered Rasmussen and her eggs, which prompted a stop at the Elks Lodge one Tuesday morning. At the time, she was selling the eggs in flats of 30 and I live solo, so I was hesitant to buy.
“How long do your eggs last?” I asked.
“Around a month refrigerated,” she said.
I replied, “Sold!”
Seven months later, Rasmussen’s eggs are the only ones I buy. Fried or poached, the eggs’ flavorful and gooey orange to golden yellow yolks surrounded by thick whites are great alone, as a side or as a topping on nearly everything.
Why are the eggs so delicious? “The Hen Pen Farms produces farm-fresh, pasture-raised eggs from the happiest hens,” said Rasmussen. “All of our feed is organic and comes from local feed providers. We give the chickens a well-balanced protein layer mix, and on occasion, fresh greens from restaurants we sell to, plus chicken scratch as a treat.”
As restaurants reopened in various capacities, I began seeking those that use or serve her eggs, like one of her favorite recipes, Steak and Eggs Benedict with Bearnaise Sauce.
The list includes Andie’s Café, Bistro Don Giovanni, Bottega, C Casa, Compline, Coquetta, Downtown Joe’s, Empress M, Fumé Bistro, Heritage Eats, Madeleine’s Macarons, Napa Palisades Saloon, R+D Kitchen, Rutherford Grill, The French Laundry and The Model Bakery, just to name a few.
“You can purchase our eggs from several grocery stores as well in Napa: Fatted Calf, Oakville Grocery and Sunshine Foods,” Rasmussen said.
So, what does a day in the life of the Egg Lady look like? “If I am not delivering eggs for home deliveries or at the Elks Lodge on Tuesday, I am constantly on my phone texting or calling customers to share with them the amazing selection we have to offer and answering any questions. It is a lot of work, but it is well worth it, I have met some incredible people while doing this. I am excited for what 2021 will bring.”
The Egg Lady is at the Elks Lodge Napa at 2840 Soscol Ave. on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. For home delivery, text 707-294-9645 to place orders by 5:00 p.m. the day before.
The delivery schedule is:
Napa: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays;
Wednesdays: American Canyon, Yountville, and St. Helena;
Thursdays: Fairfield, Suisun, and some parts of Vacaville
For more information visit www.facebook.com/The-Hen-Pen-Farms-106585048048225.
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