Producing Eggs the Kipster Way with Sandra Vijn

03/14/25 • 28 min

Sustainability, animal welfare, and transparency—are they just buzzwords, or true commitments?

This week we sit down with Sandra Vijn, Managing Director of Kipster USA, to explore how the company is rethinking the entire system—from upcycled feed to carbon-neutral farming. Kipster is aiming to redefine what ethical egg farming looks like.

Sandra shares how Kipster’s model challenges conventional agriculture, why transparency matters (even when it’s not pretty), and the complex question of who really pays for sustainability. She explains how Kipster was designed around the needs of chickens rather than regulations, the challenges of bringing a European egg model to the U.S., and why regenerative and circular farming need to be part of the same conversation.

Can Kipster carve out a new space in the American egg market? And will American consumers buy into their vision?

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Sustainability, animal welfare, and transparency—are they just buzzwords, or true commitments?

Can Kipster carve out a new space in the American egg market? And will American consumers buy into their vision?

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Previous Episode

Expana and the Benchmark Price of Eggs with Karyn Rispoli

Egg prices have been anything but stable in recent years, and behind every price shift is a complex web of market forces. In this episode, we sit down with Karyn Rispoli, Managing Editor of Eggs at Expana, to break down how egg pricing really works. From avian influenza outbreaks wiping out millions of layers to shifting market dynamics and the intricacies of price reporting, we explore why the egg industry is so volatile—and what that means for producers, buyers, and everyone in between.

Karyn sheds light on the challenges of market reporting, the common misconceptions about price assessments, and the balancing act of gathering accurate data in an industry where even a few cents per dozen can have massive financial implications. As she explains, price reporters like her aren’t setting the market—they’re reflecting it. As the saying goes, "Don’t shoot the messenger."

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Next Episode

The Scramble — Unfiltered Truths About Avian Influenza, Egg Prices & Vaccines

In this special roundtable edition of Eggheads, we bring back “The Scramble”—our unfiltered format where leading voices in the egg industry sit down to tackle the Avian Influenza chaos head-on. Host Greg Schoenfeld is joined by three experts at the forefront: Dr. Kay Russo, veterinarian and virologist, Brian Moscogiuri, egg market analyst, and Jacques Klempf, former egg producer and industry veteran.

This conversation covers it all: the continued volatility in egg prices, the relentless spread of avian influenza, the economic and emotional toll on farmers, and the controversial but potentially game-changing role of vaccination. Kay breaks down the scientific case for vaccines and what’s holding the U.S. back, Jacques gives a raw look at what it’s like to operate under constant threat, and Brian connects the dots on how market disruptions are impacting supply chains and consumers alike.

We’re in uncharted territory-- farmers are holding onto aging flocks, trying to stretch production. Replacement birds are hard to come by. Meanwhile, policymakers are stuck in neutral as the virus continues to burn. With over 50 million birds lost since October and a fractured industry response, the question becomes: how much longer can the system hold?

If you care about food security, farming, or just want to understand why eggs are so expensive (and nowadays often missing from store shelves), this is the episode to check out.

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.