FOX VALLEY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Finding your perfect Thanksgiving turkey may be a bit tricky this holiday season.
Because of the bird flu, turkeys could be in short supply — and at a higher cost.
Every Thanksgiving, Father Carr’s Place 2B in Oshkosh has a dine in experience and a delivery plan.
Executive Director of Father Carr’s Jim Boehm says they normally get 150 people for the dine-in experience. Delivery, though, is a bit of a different story.
“We start delivering about 10:30 in the morning and run until early afternoon,” said Boehm. “We’ve been doing about 1,000 meals a year.”
Click here to donate to Father Carr’s Place 2B.
According to the USDA, the avian flu has killed 5.4 million turkeys this year, which makes up 2.5% of turkey production in the U.S.
Boehm says he has good faith in the donors.
“We’ve had a community that’s always backed up, so we are firm believers that the turkey will come, but there’s always that concern,” said Boehm.
At St. Joseph’s Food Program in Menasha, volunteers are already busy prepping for the holiday
Executive director Monica Clare says the pantry is on track to deliver its anticipated number of turkeys.
“We called and ordered our turkeys, and we were told there wouldn’t be an issue getting them, so fingers crossed we expect to get those on time,” said Clare.
Click here to donate to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry.
But the bird flu is not the only reason behind the shortage.
“We don’t think the amount of donors have decreased. The one thing that I think is happening is with inflation and the price of food, the amount that people are bringing in is probably decreasing a little bit,” said Boehm.
USDA data states the average price for a frozen turkey posted a record high in September at $1.72 per pound. It’s a 20% increase from the same time last year, when the price was $1.44 per pound.
“It’s a much tighter window than it used to be,” said Clare. “During the fourth quarter, people are gearing up for the holidays and want to have a nice meal with their family, so it’s always a busy time.”
Father Carr’s and St. Joseph’s are actively taking donations for the holiday season.
