Pawlenty of turkey to feed the needy

Last update: November 24, 2008 - 11:44 AM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the state's turkey producers continue the tradition today of talking turkey at the State Capitol.

As part of that this afternoon, the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA) will announce the donation of 16,000 pounds of turkey to food shelves and food banks across Minnesota in December.

"This year has been challenging, economically, for a lot of folks," said MTGA President Kim Gorans of Gorans Brothers in Willmar. Gorans said that the donation to Hunger Solutions Minnesota is enough to feed 20,000 people. The donation will provide help to families in communities such as Faribault, Melrose, Willmar, Thief River Falls, Frazee, Perham and Buffalo.

Since 2001, MTGA has donated 136,000 pounds of turkey to various areas of the state - or enough to feed nearly 177,000 people.

Hunger Solutions Minnesota will coordinate the distribution of the turkey. All processing costs for the turkey are being donated by Jennie-O Turkey Store, headquartered in Willmar.

Gorans is bringing a 18-week-old turkey hen to meet the governor this afternoon at the Governor's Reception Room of the State Capitol. The hen comes from a flock raised at the Turkey Research Unit in UMore Park in Rosemount.

About 250 turkey family farmers raise about 49 million birds annually, placing Minnesota at the top in the nation for turkey production.

PAUL WALSH