The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published an extensive list of recommendations for safely celebrating Thanksgiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. As indoor gatherings — especially those with larger groups that include visitors from different locations — have a higher risk of spreading the coronavirus, many Americans are opting to scale down their Turkey Day celebrations.
Still, even though Thanksgiving might look different, most people still plan to celebrate. A recent survey by Butterball shows that 87% of consumers plan to make some sort of meal for the holiday.
“The holidays will look different this year, but nearly three-quarters of consumers say celebrating Thanksgiving will help reestablish normalcy,” Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Director Nicole Johnson told Street Insider. “So, helping people enjoy it is more important than ever.”
To make shopping, planning and preparing the meal easier, Walmart has committed to stocking a selection of smaller birds for the season. Although the retailer will still carry traditional, large turkeys, they are increasing the assortment available to include less-hefty turkeys, as well as 20-30% more bone-in and boneless turkey breasts in stores than they usually carry for Thanksgiving.
In addition, the retailer says that ham sales stayed high following Easter, carrying into the summer months. Attributing this trend to more people cooking at home during the pandemic, Walmart will increase its inventory of ham as well.
In an effort to help shoppers avoid large crowds during the mad rush to the stores right before Thanksgiving, Walmart began stocking turkeys, hams and side dishes with the brand’s popular “Everyday Low Prices” on Nov. 2. These items will also be available through the retailer’s online pickup and delivery services.
If you aren’t sure how much turkey you will need or how long to cook a smaller bird, Butterball has a collection of calculators and conversions that can help you choose, thaw and prepare any turkey to perfection for your unique Thanksgiving Day feast.
Are you scaling down your Thanksgiving celebration this year?
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