More than 75 tons, or 150,000 pounds, of poultry products were donated to families in need ahead of the holiday season, the Indiana State Poultry Association announced Nov. 19.
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director Bruce Kettler, thanked the state’s producers during the association’s 71st annual poultry donation program.
“Indiana’s poultry producers are remarkable,” Holcomb said. “Year after year, they provide thousands of meals for Hoosiers in need. I commend their goodwill and encourage others to follow their example this holiday season.”
Indiana’s poultry producers have made contributions to food banks across the state for decades. Some of the main products donated this year include eggs, chicken, duck and turkey.
More than 600,000 eggs were donated by members of the association, according to Paul Brennan, ISPA executive vice president.
Indiana’s poultry sector is among the best in the nation. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Indiana ranks first in duck production, second in egg production and third in turkeys raised.
Annually, the poultry sector contributes more than $9.5 billion to the state’s economy and accounts for more than 11,000 Hoosier jobs.
