Big turkeys could be rare birds at Thanksgiving

The traditional fat Thanksgiving turkey could become another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic this year.

Retail giant Walmart is stocking more turkey breasts as people plan to get together in smaller groups. Shoppers also are expected to hit the stores earlier in November for their holiday dinners to avoid crowds at the grocery store.

“This year has brought rapid and constant change in every facet of our daily lives, and we know Thanksgiving celebrations will be no exception,” Jacqui Lyons, a divisional merchandise manager at Walmart wrote online. “The sprint to Thanksgiving is likely going to be spread over a greater number of days, and the largest turkey in the freezer is less likely to be the star.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists going to large indoor gatherings with other households as a higher risk activity. Having a small dinner outside with family and friends from the community is considered to be a moderate risk and a small dinner with people who live in the same household is lower risk. Traveling also increases the chance of catching and spreading coronavirus, the CDC warns.

A survey from turkey producer Butterball found nearly 90% of consumers plan to have a Thanksgiving meal but also reported 30% said they are only hosting immediate family this year.

Still, Butterball said 75% of hosts planned to serve the same-size or larger turkey than last year.

Walmart, however, anticipates the smaller groups will mean a higher preference for smaller turkeys and cuts that don’t include the whole bird.

The retailer, which still plans to have plenty of whole turkeys, has increased its offerings of bone-in and boneless turkey breasts by 20% to 30% in stores across the nation, Lyons wrote.

Lyons added Walmart has more hams on hand after sales continued to peak following Easter into summer.

“We expect that trend to continue right into Thanksgiving dinner,” Lyons wrote.

Lakeland-based grocery store chain Publix plans to have the same offerings as previous years and will accommodate customers needing any size turkey, spokeswoman Maria Brous said.

“We’ve planned for all possibilities of what the demand may look like this year, but we’ll have to wait and see what the holiday season looks like,” Brous said.

Vicki Butler of Winter Garden is one person who expects a smaller Thanksgiving this year. Her holiday might end up being celebrated with just her husband and two adult children.

“Last year, we were able to get together with several friends and some of their extended family — (but it’s) just uncertain how far we’re going to take that this year,” the 56-year-old said. “Definitely trying to keep under 10 (people).”

Butler was checking out turkeys while shopping recently in the market at Lake Meadow Naturals farm in Ocoee.

“Today will be a look and see,” she said. “I do see that they do have the ability to order online as well.”

The farm raised 1,200 turkeys this year and still had about 400 turkeys available recently, said owner Dale Volkert.