PRESS RELEASE:
NEPTUNE, NJ (November 1, 2015) – The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is seeking frozen turkey donations for families in need this Thanksgiving.
According to Russell Whitman, a poultry expert at Urner Barry, there are fewer turkeys available since last year, and prices are the highest in recorded history. “At a glance, this year has been an especially devastating one for the U.S. turkey industry because of the historical outbreak of high path avian influenza. This deadly outbreak, the biggest ever in U.S. history, resulted in the loss of more than 8 million turkeys, including young and breeder flocks. 
The end result was that the available supply of whole turkeys and turkey meat was significantly reduced, so not only are prices higher than at any time in recorded history but available supplies are also the lowest. I can appreciate the challenges that might present themselves in securing much needed donations.”
This means that many low-income households will not be able to purchase turkeys and have Thanksgiving at home with their families. The FoodBank has ordered 10,000 turkeys, and while generous retail businesses have donated (Stop&Shop 1500, McDonalds 500), we are still short by 2,000 turkeys, based on number of requests from our feeding programs.
We are now reaching out the community for FROZEN TURKEY DONATIONS, which can be brought directly to the FoodBank or dropped off at any WindMill business on our behalf. We need turkeys no later than November 16 in order to distribute them in time for Thanksgiving Dinner. There are 132,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, 1 in 10, who are food insecure and rely on us and our partner agencies for help.
