Cooperative Living October 2019 - 11

TalkingTurkey | by Pam Wiley, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
GOOD GOBBLERS!
It's nearly time for some table talk
T
hanksgiving is not that far away - almost time to start talking turkey!
Total U.S. turkeys raised last year numbered about 240 million. The top
turkey-producing states are:
1. Minnesota (42 million)
4. Indiana (20 million)
2. North Carolina (32.5 million) 5. Missouri (18.8 million)
3. Arkansas (26.5 million)
6. Virginia (16.8 million)
Most Virginia turkey farms are in the Shenandoah Valley.
Thanksgiving meal cost averages slightly more than $50
In November 2018, Virginia Farm Bureau found that the cost of a
Thanksgiving meal for 10 in the commonwealth averaged $5.23 per person.
The organization conducts an annual informal price survey for groceries
used to make a meal of turkey; ham; dressing; sweet potatoes; russet potatoes;
rolls; green beans; peas; celery; cranberries; milk; and pumpkin pie with
whipped cream. Prices were reported by volunteer shoppers using no
promotional sales or coupons.
The survey mirrors a national one conducted each fall by the Washingtonbased
American Farm Bureau Federation to track holiday food price trends.
VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor, a Goochland County grain and hay farmer,
said the nation's farmers " are committed to providing safe and wholesome
food for Americans year-round - not just during Thanksgiving, but every
day of the year. "
I beg your pardon?
" Turkey pardoning " is a common reference for the National Turkey
Federation's annual presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the
president of the United States.
The tradition has been observed since 1947, when President Harry Truman
received a live turkey as a gift from the federation.
Once pardoned, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and an alternate are
transported to Virginia Tech, where they are cared for at " Gobbler's Rest " by
veterinarians and students in the Animal and Poultry Sciences Department. 
TURKEY CONSUMPTION
* In 2016, U.S. consumption of turkey
averaged 16.7 pounds per person, according
to the National Turkey Federation.
* Turkey consumption and production in the
U.S. have more than doubled since 1970.
GET READY TO GOBBLE
* The National Turkey Federation shares a flock
of turkey recipes at eatturkey.org, along with
a special Thanksgiving 101 section for the
holiday cook.
* Synthetic hormones and steroids are never
given to commercially produced poultry
in the U.S. That practice, the Virginia Poultry
Federation notes on its website, " is
logistically and economically not feasible,
unnecessary and - above all - against
federal law. "
TURKEY TRIVIA
* Mature female turkeys are called hens,
and mature male turkeys are called toms
or gobblers. Newly hatched turkeys are
called poults.
* Domesticated turkeys cannot fly.
* Wild turkeys can fly up to 55 mph for short
distances, and they can run 20 mph.
* Tom turkeys gobble, but hens do not;
they make a clicking noise instead.
* Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be
the United States' official bird. Unhappy
about the choice of the bald eagle, Franklin
wrote, " For the Truth the Turkey is in
Comparison a much more respectable Bird,
and withal a true original Native of America. "
* Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's first meal
on the moon was foil packets of roasted
turkey and all the trimmings.
co-opliving.com
October 2019 | Cooperative Living | 9
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Cooperative Living October 2019

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