Most American families’ Thanksgiving meals include staples like the big turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, corn, and more! But how are all of these holiday staples grown, though, and which states produce them?
Turkey
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Turkey is the prominent symbol of Thanksgiving worldwide.
According to the USDA, Americans eat about 16 pounds of turkey per year. Minnesota leads the nation in turkey production, followed by North Carolina and Arkansas. The nation also produces almost 50 percent of the world’s supply of turkeys.
Sweet Potatoes
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North Carolina has been the top sweet potato producer since 1971. The nation ranks #7 in sweet potato production globally.
White Potatoes
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Mashed potatoes are considered the “glue” of Thanksgiving meals. In 2012, the U.S. produced 46 billion+ pounds of potatoes.
What state is the biggest producer? You guessed it: Idaho leads the nation in potato production. The U.S. also ranks fifth in world potato production.
Corn
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Why do we eat corn on Thanksgiving? One of the founders of the Plymouth Colony wrote that the spring before the holiday, the settlers planted 20 acres of Indian corn. The crop was served for the first time then!
Iowa produced the most corn in 2020, followed by Nebraska and Illinois. Also, the U.S. produces 41 percent of the world’s corn, and the U.S. ranks first in world production.
Green Beans
Everyone has to have something green on their plate!
You may not believe it, but Florida is the top producer of green beans! In 2012, the U.S. produced 540 million pounds of green beans. That is a lot.
Pecans
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Yum! Pecans are a staple for Thanksgiving. Like pumpkins, pecans are harvested during the fall and have become essential to the holiday.
No matter which way you crack it, Georgia is the top producer of pecans, and the U.S. is #1 in world pecan production.
Pumpkin
Thanksgiving would not be the same without pumpkins, no matter how you eat it!
In 2012, the U.S. produced 1.2 billion pounds or more of pumpkin. Illinois is the top producer, and the U.S. ranks fifth in world production.
Cranberries
Cranberries are also a Thanksgiving staple, usually in the shape of sauce. Similar to the pieces above, it is believed that pilgrims and the American Indians would have eaten them at the first Thanksgiving feast.
Wisconsin is the top producer of cranberries, while the U.S. ranks first in global cranberry production! We produce 78 percent of the world’s supply.
Sources: USDA’s AMS, USDA’s ERS, USDA’s NASS
