Indiana’s poultry industry marked a major year of community support, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars in food and financial aid to help Hoosiers in need. At this year’s 78th annual Governor’s Poultry Presentation at the Indiana Statehouse, state leaders and industry representatives highlighted the generosity of the state’s producers and the important role poultry farming plays in Indiana’s economy.
Throughout the year, poultry farmers across the state supplied local food banks — including Second Helpings in Indianapolis — with $620,000 worth of chicken, turkey and duck. Egg producers also made a significant impact, providing more than 833,000 dozen eggs to Indiana food banks and another million dozen to organizations nationwide. In addition to these food donations, Indiana poultry companies contributed over $650,000 in direct financial support to charitable groups.
State officials, including Gov. Mike Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, joined the Indiana State Poultry Association in acknowledging both the industry’s community contributions and its long history. Many of the companies recognized at the ceremony began as small, family-run farms and continue to emphasize producing high-quality food for families across the state.
The event also underscored the strength of Indiana’s poultry sector. The state ranks among the nation’s top producers, standing fourth in turkey production with 20.5 million birds raised this year. Turkey from Indiana is processed into a range of products — from ground meat to breast meat to turkey legs — and about one-fifth of it is exported. Indiana also leads the country in duck production and is third nationally in egg production, according to federal agricultural statistics.
