SPRINGFIELD, MA – Butterball Turkeys has just announced to officials at supermarkets around the country including Big Y World Class Markets that there is a national shortage of their large fresh Butterball turkeys for this Thanksgiving. This shortage involves only Butterball brand large fresh turkeys of 16 pounds or more and not frozen or smaller weight fresh Butterballs. In addition, it does not affect any other brands of fresh turkeys. This shortage is from Butterball brand large fresh turkeys only.
In an effort to ensure that their customers will have 16 + pound turkeys for their Thanksgiving meal, Big Y has increased their supply of large frozen Butterball turkeys of 16 pounds or more as an option for those who usually purchase a large fresh Butterball turkey. Big Y has ample supply of small fresh Butterballs, other large fresh turkey brands such as Shady Brook and of course, fresh Butterballs that are less than 14 pounds. Big Y has suggested that customers that typically buy large fresh Butterball turkeys might want to consider switching to another fresh brand or a frozen Butterball this year. As usual, all Big Y butchers will be available to answer any questions from customers regarding their turkey selection options. For suggestions on thawing a frozen turkey, customers can check Butterball's web site at www.butterball.com.
Big Y's buyers placed orders for this year's supply of turkeys last June as is typical for this item. Today, they were notified by Butterball that their orders along with those of all other retailers across the country had been cut by 50%. Immediately, Big Y sourced additional turkeys from other suppliers in order to have ample supply for their customers.
According to Guy McFarlane, Big Y's vice president of fresh foods, "All of us at Big Y will do our best to ensure that our customers have a wonderful turkey for their Thanksgiving meal. Our butchers stand ready to assist customers not only with their turkey selection but cooking tips as well. We are confident that everyone will be happy with their meal."
Big Y will continue to take customer orders for specific turkeys for all types except for the large fresh Butterballs to ensure that everyone has the size they need for their Thanksgiving celebration. In addition to a whole turkey, many Big Y customers choose turkey breast, duck, goose, capon, other fresh turkey parts or even a fully prepared turkey dinner as additional options for their meal. Big Y's prepared turkey dinners feed 8-10 people and include a 10-12 pound cooked turkey, 2 lbs. squash, 4 lbs. mashed potatoes, 2 lbs. stuffing, 32 oz. gravy, 15 oz. can of cranberry sauce, 16 fresh snowflake rolls and a 10 inch pumpkin pie. Every year, Big Y's prepared turkey dinners become more and more popular with customers who want to enjoy their meal at home without all of the extra effort.
Finally, Big Y has instituted a Turkey Help Line available for cooking tips, thawing suggestions, turkey size and selection as well as other turkey related questions. Big Y's Turkey Help Line will be open from 8AM -7PM from Thursday Nov. 21 until Wednesday Nov. 27 at 413-504-4600 or toll free at 888-306-1441.
Headquartered in Springfield, MA, Big Y is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Proud to be family owned and operated, they currently operate 61 locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 10,000 employees. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D'Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two roads converge to form a "Y".
Source: Big Y
