We should celebrate and be grateful for farmers every day, but especially on a day when we give thanks.
While we are all sitting around the table with our families saying what we are thankful for, we should thank a farmer, and here is why.
Why do we eat a turkey on Thanksgiving?
Roughly 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving. The National Turkey Federation says almost 90 percent of Americans eat turkey on the holiday. Why? They were abundant in the northeast during the first Thanksgiving celebration in October 1621.
There is no indication turkey was served at the first Thanksgiving feast, but the Wampanoag brought deer, and the Pilgrims brought wild “fowl,” according to the Britannica.
Fast forward to the 19th century, turkey became a popular dish because it was plentiful - about 10 million turkeys, according to one expert. Secondly, they were widely available for culling. Cows and hens were useful as long as they were producing eggs and milk. Lastly, a turkey was big enough to feed a big family.
Farmers supply the meals
Americans consume 80 million pounds of cranberries on Thanksgiving, and farmers produce 841 million pounds in a year, according to Luckey Farmers.
A little over 200 million pounds of potatoes and 50 million pounds of sweet potatoes will be purchased for the dinner.
Americans buy almost 500,000 pounds of pumpkin for Thanksgiving, and 77 million pounds of ham will be purchased.
Story via Luckey Farmers
Story via John M. Cunningham with Britannica
December 07, 2022 10:35 AM
·
We can thank farmers for ALL our meals, but especially during Thanksgiving! Let’s learn how some Thanksgiving dinner staples are grown, and which states produce the most.
November 11, 2022 01:26 PM
·
The favorite foods of the political elite have enamored Americans for centuries. From finding out what the president sneaks for a midnight snack at the White House, or snickering at photos of candidates testing out local fare on the campaign trail — Americans love to watch our lawmakers eat!
November 08, 2022 12:55 PM
·
Did you know that eight states raise nearly 77% of the U.S. turkey supply? It’s impressive. But when it comes to the impacts of High-Path Avian Flu on commercial turkey flocks — it also means those same states, in most cases, will bear the brunt of lost production value due to the virus.
November 07, 2022 06:00 PM
·
Get your holiday centerpiece from wild turkey and other heriloom turkey breed producers this holiday season!
November 04, 2022 04:23 PM
·
Experts predict consumers will pay nearly double the price per pound for certain types of turkey than the average cost just five years ago.
October 27, 2022 09:06 PM
·
Like a greatest hits album, “TCR Classics: Bob’s Picks” is filled with some of TCR host Bob Phillips’ most cherished memories reporting on The Lone Star State with his wife, Kelli, for nearly three decades. Plus, the 16-episode series is available to stream for FREE on RFD-TV Now!
October 04, 2022 02:18 PM
·
We gathered our favorite farming podcasts!
September 29, 2022 06:05 PM
·
Hollywood celebrities may attend movie premieres and other red carpet events filled with big city lights. Still, a few grew up on several acres surrounded by animals and rolling fields. Here are eight notable figures in film and television who grew up on a farm.
September 26, 2022 01:36 PM
·
