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 Poultry Federation members joined together Thursday, November 15th to help feed the central Arkansas community by distributing 600 turkeys to more than 30 local non-profit organizations. At the crack of dawn, the truck hauling the frozen turkeys pulled into the Federation office in Little Rock. On-hand to immediately unload the turkeys were dedicated Allied members. It was a chilly frosty morning, but our members were prepared wearing coats, hats and gloves and braved the wind. The air was cool but their hearts were warm! The boxes of turkey were strategically placed and counted out prior to the charities arriving. As the representatives of the local charities checked in, the Federation Board of Directors joined the Allied members and helped distribute the turkeys to the charities. The representatives of the different charitable organizations were invited to share information about their work and who they were going to feed with the donated turkeys. Pride in helping feed the local community was apparent on our  members’ faces as they listened intently to the stories. “I’m very proud to be associated with our industry’s efforts in helping feed the community,” stated Scott Miller, vice president of the Allied Industries Committee of TPF. “It’s also a great way to kick-off the holiday season by helping others,” Miller continued.
Some of the non-profit organizations that received turkeys this year were: Camp Aldersgate, Salvation Army, Union Rescue Mission, Potluck, and Watershed Project.
Several print and television media were in attendance to cover the Federation story and interview various members including Marvin Childers, TPF President. “It’s a great honor to help the local community by providing turkey, a product we are proud to produce,” stated Childers. “The generosity of our members at Cargill, Butterball, and Willow Brook Foods has allowed us to contribute to the community during this holiday season for the past 20 years.”
We express our thanks to Cargill, Butterball, and Willow Brook Foods for the donated turkeys and to Jon Roberts of Cargill for handling the logistics. Appreciation and gratitude is extended to our members who volunteered their time for this community service. You made it a successful event! Thank you to: Rebecca Burks, Karen Brooks, Adam Jones, Katherine Hatley, and Lauren Austin of Moore, Stephens Frost; Rick Zimmerman of Phibro Animal Health, Scott Miller of Motomco; Danny and Nancy Williams of Ivesco, LLC; Dwight Curl of Stork Food Systems; Philip Maynard of Huvepharma; Preston Stiles of Conveyor Technology; and Doug Cloud of Tyson Foods. TPF Board members who helped included: Gary Murphy of Simmons Foods; Charles George of George’s; Patrick Pilkington of Tyson; Ken Primm and Trent Goins of O.K.; Lynn Nutt of Willow Brook Foods, Kevin McDaniel and Mike McClure of Pilgrim’s Pride; Amy Witte of Elanco; Blake Evans of Peterson Farms; and Jerry Moye of Cobb-Vantress. THANK YOU TO ALL!
Happy Thanksgiving to our members from your staff at TPF!
FACTS AND FIGURES:
In 2006, Missouri ranked 5th nationwide in turkey production.
- Missouri raised 20 million turkeys.
- Pounds produced: 634 million pounds.
- Value of production: $317 million.
In 2006, Arkansas ranked 3rd nationwide in turkey production.
- Arkansas raised 30 million turkeys.
- Pounds produced: 585 million pounds.
- Value of production: $304 million.
In 2007, the preliminary estimate of turkeys raised in the United States in 2007 is 272 million, which is up 4 percent from 2006.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov/>
For more turkey facts:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/010763.html
The Poultry Federation is a tri-state trade organization representing the poultry and egg industries in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Offices are located in Little Rock, AR, Jefferson City, MO, and Oklahoma City, OK.
Paulette Binkley
Business Development Director
The Poultry Federation
Arkansas-Missouri-Oklahoma
321 S. Victory, Little Rock, AR 72201
paulette@thepoultryfederation.com
501-375-8131 (Office)
501-375-5519 (Fax)
501-831-1028 (Mobile)
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