Delis are turning to plant-based egg substitutes as bird flu and inflation push up the cost of the real thing. But how does the faux BEC compare?Like a yellow taxi or the pizza rat, the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich has become a symbol of New York City. You can find a BEC in just about any bodega, or corner store, where it serves as a cheap, filling breakfast, quick lunch or hangover cure.But with egg prices soaring across the country due to inflation and the worst avian influenza outbreak in history, delis are struggling to keep the price down. It’s been tough since 2022, when the bird flu began, with reports of farmers having to slaughter millions of birds a month. Francisco Marte, a bodega owner in the Bronx and president of the Bodega and Small Business Association, told NY1 that about 50% of delis had to raise prices on BECs to make a profit. Continue reading...
Soaring egg prices, driven by inflation and avian flu, are affecting the cost of New York's popular bacon, egg, and cheese (BEC) sandwiches. Many delis have raised prices, and some are turning to plant-based egg substitutes like Just Egg (made from mung beans) to keep prices down. Just Egg and Plantega have partnered with bodegas to offer vegan BEC alternatives. While the cost can be comparable to traditional BECs, plant-based options are becoming more prevalent due to the egg crisis.