Poultry donation ceremony held at Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s poultry farmers donated $620,000 worth of chicken, duck and turkey meat to Hoosiers through local food banks, including Second Helpings in Indianapolis.

Indiana egg producers supplied food banks with more than 833,000 dozen eggs, with an additional 1 million dozen distributed nationwide this year.

Their generosity was honored at the 78th annual Governor’s Poultry Presentation at the Indiana Statehouse.

Gov. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and the Indiana State Poultry Association recognized the generosity of Indiana’s poultry producers at the event.

“Poultry farming in Indiana is a family affair,” said ISPA President Rebecca Eifert Joniskan. “The companies represented here today all started as small, family-owned operations, committed to producing quality products.

“They know families cannot thrive without healthy food, and they are humbled to be able to make a difference in the lives of other Hoosier families.”

Beyond product donations, Indiana poultry companies also contributed more than $650,000 in direct support to charitable organizations.

The strength of Indiana’s poultry sector was also recognized during the ceremony as Indiana is one of the top poultry-producing states in the country.

Indiana is fourth in the nation in turkey production, producing 20.5 million turkeys this year. Three commercial processing facilities produce breast meat, ground turkey and turkey legs and thighs. About 20% of Indiana’s turkey meat is exported.

Indiana also ranks first in duck production and third in egg production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.