While you’re savoring turkey and stuffing, the real MVP—logistics—is working overtime. From farm to table, let’s carve into 10 incredible facts about the Thanksgiving supply chain that highlight its crucial role in making this holiday special.
- Turkeys Galore: In 2023, 218 million turkeys were raised, with over 50 million making their Thanksgiving debut. That’s a lot of gobbling—and we don’t mean the noise.
- Big Bucks for Birds: Americans spend $1 billion on turkeys every Thanksgiving. Enough said.
- Cross-Country Feast: Your meal may have traveled 2,500 miles to reach you. That turkey earned its seat at the table.
- Frozen Champions: 90% of turkeys are frozen, some stored for three years. Talk about staying cool under pressure!
- Smart Tech, Fresh Feasts: IoT sensors ensure your turkey’s trip is FSMA-compliant. Think of it as the James Bond of food safety.
- Cranberry Craze: Thanksgiving sees 80 million pounds of cranberries consumed. That’s a lot of tartness in one day!
- A Workforce to Be Thankful For: Nearly 700,000 seasonal workers make the magic happen behind the scenes.
- Turkey Timeframe: Turkeys are farmed for 10 to 18 weeks before the big day. A short life, but a tasty legacy.
- Traveling for Turkey: 50 million Americans travel over 50 miles for dinner. That’s logistics on a personal level.
- Frozen Heroes: Storing turkeys at 0°F means producers always have a backup. Never fear a turkey shortage again.
Let’s not mince words—the real star of Thanksgiving isn’t the turkey. It’s the supply chain. Farms, warehouses, and trucks all teamed up to get your dinner to the table, while you just had to worry about burning the rolls.
Thanksgiving may have won the supply chain Super Bowl, but Christmas is coming for the title. Stay tuned for how logistics makes holiday magic happen—from stocking stuffers to your uncle’s questionable eggnog. ??
