High-Priced Turkeys Strain Food Banks Ahead of Thanksgiving

High turkey prices and historically low production are creating a critical shortage of the birds for food banks nationwide as Thanksgiving approaches, leaving many facilities unable to meet demand for holiday meal donations.

Turkey costs have soared 44% this year, contributing to shortages that are straining the budgets and inventories of charitable organizations. At the San Antonio Food Bank, a delivery of turkeys was canceled due to the higher prices, leaving the facility — which distributes to 29 Texas counties — about 4,000 short of its goal to donate 16,000 birds.