Staff Reports
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch honored Indiana’s poultry producers Tuesday at the 73rd Indiana State Poultry Donation event for their generous assistance throughout the year to their communities.
Hoosier producers donated 450 tons or 900,000 pounds of poultry products despite impacts from the pandemic.
“Hardworking Hoosier farmers and agribusinesses take pride in growing and raising some of the most safe, nutritious and delicious food on our planet,” Crouch said. “In addition, they also are generous with their goods and this donation proves they want to help their communities. This has been a difficult year and this gift will benefit others in need.”
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The strength of the state’s poultry sector also was recognized during the ceremony for Indiana ranks as 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.
The poultry industry is a substantial economic driver for the state, and it contributes more than $12 billion in total economic activity. Additionally, this sector employs more than 12,000 Hoosiers.
Rose Acre Farms, headquartered in Seymour, typically donates about 30,000 dozen eggs a month to food pantries and other organizations, but the amount has more than doubled because of the coronavirus impact, Chief Operating Officer Tony Wesner said in a recent news release. The company operates 17 layer farms in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Georgia, Iowa and Arizona and is the second largest egg producer in the U.S.
“Indiana’s poultry sector is a driving force in our state’s agriculture industry,” said ISDA Director, Bruce Kettler. “When faced with this year’s challenges, all levels of the poultry supply chain went above the call of duty to ensure Hoosiers had access to high quality products when they needed it most.”
Aside from the donations made today, Indiana State Poultry Association (ISPA) members continually give back to their local communities throughout the year.
Becky Joniskan, ISPA president, said that over the last 12 months their members have contributed more than 7 million eggs and 200,000 pounds of meat and egg products to their local communities.
“Today’s donation is a true testament to the generosity, dedication and heart of our Hoosier poultry producers,” she said. “I feel so fortunate to work alongside these individuals who work tirelessly to produce exceptional products while supporting their local communities.”
Today’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 and 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.