Minnesota Turkey gives time – and turkey – to help end hunger in Minnesota

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn.— The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA) is once again celebrating the month of November by giving back to Minnesotans facing hunger. Every year, since 2008, MTGA dedicates a portion of the proceeds from its Minnesota State Fair Turkey To Go® food stand to purchase and donate $10,000 worth of Minnesota-raised turkey products.

This year marks the second consecutive year that MTGA has partnered with Second Harvest Heartland, Minnesota’s leading hunger-relief organization, to distribute this donation. Approximately $5,000 in whole turkeys and $5,000 in turkey breasts were delivered to Second Harvest Heartland’s distribution center in Brooklyn Park, Minn., on Thursday, November 6^th.

In addition to the turkey donation, Minnesota turkey farmers, industry partners and MTGA staff rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at the distribution center. By the end of the shift, the volunteer team had packaged 211 bags of onions—8,568 pounds in total—helping provide the equivalent of 7,140 meals for Minnesotans in need.

Later this month, on Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day, November 20^th, Second Harvest Heartland will host a turkey dinner distribution event at Community Emergency Services (CES) in Minneapolis. Using its mobile distribution trailer, Second Harvest Heartland will provide the donated whole turkeys, along with all the traditional Thanksgiving sides, to Minnesota families experiencing food insecurity.

MTGA leadership will be on-site for the November 20^th distribution event, underscoring the association’s commitment to partnering with Second Harvest Heartland and advancing their shared goal of ending hunger in Minnesota.