Poultry Assn. Donates Food to the Needy
Published: Friday, November 26, 2021
Gov. Eric Holcomb, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler on Monday recognized the generosity of Indiana's poultry producers at the 74th annual Indiana state poultry recognition event hosted at the Indiana Statehouse. Over the past year, Indiana poultry farmers have donated nearly 100 tons or 200,000 pounds of poultry products to Hoosiers in need.
For decades, Indiana's poultry producers have been working to address food insecurity in their local communities by providing protein to food banks across the state. Some of the main products that were donated over the course of this year include eggs, chicken, duck and turkey.
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. According to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service, Indiana ranks No. 1 in duck production, No. 2 in egg production, No. 4 in turkey production and is home to high-quality broiler chicken production as well.
The poultry industry is a substantial economic driver for the state contributing more than $12 billion in total economic activity. Additionally, this sector employs more than 12,000 Hoosiers.
Indiana State Poultry Assn. members continually give back to their local communities throughout the
year. According to ISPA president Becky Joniskan, over the last 12 months members have contributed over 7 million eggs to their local communities.
Monday's ceremony marks an annual tradition that dates back to the late 1940s. Organized by ISPA, one of the oldest poultry organizations in the nation, it was designed to recognize the strength of Indiana's poultry industry, as well as the annual donations made by its members, who are responsible for more than 95 percent of the chicken, duck, turkey and eggs produced in Indiana.
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