Is there a turkey shortage? As Californians prepare for Thanksgiving, here’s what to know
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Sacramento Thanksgiving guide
Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s your guide to the holiday — from free turkey and travel, to self care, Black Friday and Christmas preparation.
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Production of frozen turkeys is down compared to last year. And if you can find decent-sized turkey, it’ll probably cost you more than usual.
The nationwide inventory sat 24% lower than the three-year average volumes, according to a recent report.
Stocks of frozen turkey meat typically follow a seasonal pattern — building throughout the year until the fall — when retailers prepare to meet holiday demand.
But this year, the seasonal build-up was less pronounced than usual and stock volumes appear to have peaked before starting an earlier-than-normal decline, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service.
But as for a shortage? It’s not likely.
President of the California Poultry Federation Bill Mattos told CBS Sacramento that, as usual, fresh California-grown turkeys are expected to sell out first, followed by frozen ones. The problem, he said, is with worker shortages affecting out-of-state imports.
“I don’t think we should call it a shortage, plenty of turkey I think to buy for Thanksgiving, if you want California grown turkey, not everyone will get California grown,” he told CBS.
But turkeys may cost you more at checkout.
Frozen turkeys already cost about 26 cents per pound more this year than they did last year, according to the USDA November turkey report.
The last September turkey production is nearly 25% more than last year and roughly 50% higher than a prior five-year average, according to a Wells Fargo report.
In other words: a whole turkey is going to cost you nearly double what it did a couple of years ago.
Turkey hens typically take 14 to 16 weeks to mature and the status of young turkeys by August is a key indicator of turkey availability for Thanksgiving.
This year there were a total of 21.4 million young turkeys — a slight increase from August 2020 — but still about 4% below the three-year average for August, according to the USDA Marketing Service
At the end of August 2021, roughly 428 million pounds of turkey meat were in cold storage, a 19% decrease from August 2020 and a decline of about 7 million pounds from the end of July 2021.
But that’s not stopping people this Thanksgiving season.
According to a survey taken by Butterball, the largest U.S. producer of turkey products, nine out of 10 Americans who are planning to host Thanksgiving this year are looking forward to a traditional dinner. And 85% of Butterball consumers are planning to celebrate the holiday with turkey as their centerpiece.
If you’re looking for your Thanksgiving bird, here’s a guide to specialty grocers and online stores offering turkeys for pick up and delivery.
Where to buy a turkey
Fresh and frozen turkeys are available at Whole Foods. Reserve a turkey online or call to order a bird at 1-844-936-2428. Be sure to reserve your turkey by Tuesday, Nov. 23 for in-store pickup. Menu and available locations may vary while supplies last.
Here are the options:
- Classic
- Organic
- Heritage
- Heirloom
- Brined
- Kosher
- Turkey breasts
Butcher Box, a meat subscription online store service, offers free-range 14 to 16 lb medium whole turkey with no preservatives. The bird arrives frozen and vacuum-packaged. Shipping is free.
As of Tuesday, there are only two 8 to 10 lb Butterball premium turkeys available to purchase through Amazon, an online storefront.
Buy a free-range 10 to 12 lb turkey with no antibiotics, hormones, additives, or fillers. Just be sure to order by Nov. 17 to get your turkey in time for Thanksgiving.
100% purebred heritage and pasture-raised turkeys with no antibiotics.
Trader Joe’s whole turkeys are selected from young hens and raised in large, open-air grow houses in the U.S. All turkeys are 100% fresh, meaning never frozen, depending on which one you choose.
Need help cooking your turkey? Butterball turkey experts are available to talk through Dec. 24, with extended hours next week. Call 1-800-288-8372 or text 844-877-3456.
Or if you want a stress-free holiday and a cleaner kitchen, check out these Sacramento-area places for Thanksgiving takeout or dine in services.
Thanksgiving takeout options in Sacramento
Echo and Rig
Chef Marvin’s Echo and Rig is offering a holiday feast for Thanksgiving. You can order their traditional turkey feast, which is a prepared 14-16 pound turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls and a pumpkin pie, or pick and choose from their menu.
Their options include butternut squash soup, brown sugar yams, stuffing and apple pie.
The Feast is $225 and side dishes range from $14 to $22.
You can find the full menu and prices on their website. To make an order or for more information, call 916-619-8939.
Matteo’s Pizza & Bistro
Matteo’s Pizza and Bistro in Carmichael has a Thanksgiving pick-up menu with a range of options for appetizers, side dishes and main plates. You can choose from dungeness crab cakes, lamb pinwheels, duck fat roasted brussel sprouts, short rib and — of course — oven-ready turkey.
Prices start at $6 per person or size, depending on the menu item. The turkey combo is $55.
Pick up is available Nov. 23 or Nov. 24 at the restaurant. Orders must be placed by Nov. 20. You can place and pay for your order here.
Urban Roots
This year, Urban Roots Brewing has a Thanksgiving Takeout Shop. Their menu includes a 10-12 pound turkey, pork spare ribs, mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing and collard greens.
Prices range from $15 to $192, depending on the size and menu option.
You can order online and pick up on Thanksgiving day.
The Bee’s Hanh Truong contributed reporting.
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Is there a turkey shortage? As Californians prepare for Thanksgiving, here’s what to know."
