Foster Farms announces annual thanksgiving turkey donation to feed 125,000 people across west coast

Donations will provide thousands of food-insecure families with Thanksgiving meals

LIVINGSTON, Calif. – Foster Farms kicks off its Thanksgiving turkey donation program this week to support those in need across California, Oregon and Washington, and to raise awareness of food insecurity. Over the next three weeks, the company will deliver more than 56 tons of turkey – enough to feed almost 125,000 people – to West Coast food banks helping those at risk of going hungry this Thanksgiving.

More than 12 percent of West Coast households are defined as food insecure by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with food insecurity rising to over 20 percent in some areas. Food banks cite protein as one of the most-needed foods. Foster Farms’ turkey donations will be distributed to families in cities from San Diego to Seattle.

“Foster Farms has always been a community-oriented company, and our success is due in large part to the support and loyalty of our West Coast consumers,” said Ira Brill, director of communications for Foster Farms. “We are proud to be able to support these communities in-turn, especially during the holiday season – a time when families come together over the traditional Thanksgiving meal.”

Among the first recipients will be the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, which will receive 13,000 pounds of turkey (enough to feed more than 14,000 people) in the coming days. Turkey donations will help those living in a region where expenses are much higher than the U.S. average. In San Francisco, residents pay nearly $2,000 more per year for food than the rest of the country.

“Despite living in one of the most affluent areas in the country, there is a large imbalance between the haves and have nots. One in four people in San Francisco and Marin counties are at constant risk of hunger,” said Paul Ash, executive director of the SF-Marin Food Bank. “We’re grateful for Foster Farms’ continued support to help bridge this gap at a time when the need for protein is significant.”

Foster Farms has been a partner to food banks and community organizations across the West Coast for more than a decade. Since the holiday program began in 2008, the family-owned company has helped close to 600,000 people with its turkey donations.

Consumers who would like to join Foster Farms in its holiday efforts are encouraged to contact their local food bank. This year’s recipient food banks and community organizations include:

Second Harvest Food Bank
Manteca, Calif.
Donate Here

SF-Marin Food Bank
San Francisco
Donate Here

Northwest Harvest
Seattle
Donate Here

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Sacramento, Calif.
Donate Here

Oregon Food Bank
Portland, Ore.
Donate Here

Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
San Diego
Donate Here

About Foster Farms

Since 1939, West Coast families have depended on Foster Farms for premium quality chicken and turkey products. Family-owned and operated, the company continues its legacy of excellence and commitment to quality established by its founders, Max and Verda Foster. Foster Farms specializes in fresh, all-natural chicken and turkey products free of preservatives, additives or injected sodium enhancers. Based in California’s Central Valley, with ranches in the Pacific Northwest, the company’s fresh chicken and turkey are produced in or near each region served. Foster Farms also produces delicious pre-marinated, ready-to-cook and fully cooked products that meet the quality and convenience needs of today’s home cooks, retailers, warehouse clubs and foodservice customers. The company’s commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service and people is a source of great pride, and, a longtime family tradition.

Food safety is Foster Farms’ highest priority and the company would like to remind consumers to always follow safe handling, preparation and storage guidelines for the preparation of fresh poultry products. All fresh poultry products should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a meat thermometer to ensure safety. Visit fosterfarms.com to learn more.