SCRANTON–
There is just over a week left until Thanksgiving and the nations largest turkey producer says it’s coming up short this holiday season.
The makers of Butterball turkeys told the news media, including Newswatch 16, that it has a limited number of large fresh turkeys this year.
We decided to talk to some local grocery stores to see whether or not this so called turkey shortage is affecting our region.
The Gerrity’s Supermarket along Keyser Avenue in Scranton says they planned early for the holidays this year.
“About six months ago the meat managers all had a meeting at our main office and they all talked about the inventories they expect to carry,” Larry Denicola, store manager said.
Butterball claims the shortage is because the turkeys, which are supposed to be large- aren’t gaining enough weight.
Denicola said there is no shortage at Gerrity’s stores thanks to some early planning.
Store officials at the supermarket on Keyser Avenue say they ordered 18 cases of large fresh butterball turkeys this year.
That’s about 72 birds.
After hearing about the shortage of large fresh butterball turkeys, management says they’re happy they ordered early this year.
“They made orders six months ago. The fresh turkeys, they ordered them about six weeks ago,” Denicola said.
Officials at Weis Markets say they received a call from Butterball last week.
Company leaders were told that its shipment of fresh turkeys 16 pounds or more would be reduced by 25 percent.
To compensate the shortage, Weis has increased its orders for its store brand: Weis Quality turkeys.
Weis says there will be no shortage of large fresh turkeys at its stores.
One shopper we talked to think the so called shortage is a plot to drive sales.
“Thanksgiving is coming and it’s a good chance for them to raise the prices because of the shortage. It is what we go through with everything,” Irene Barnoski of North Scranton said.
Turkey Farms like Pallman’s near Clarks Summit hopes a shortage increases business for them.
“For birds 20 pounds of greater, specifically the 22 pound range, we have plenty available and we are taking orders daily right up to Thanksgiving,” Doug Pallman, owner of Pallman Farms said.
The makers of Butterball turkeys say they are looking into what led to the shortage.
The company hopes to find a solution to the issue.
