Turkey Lovers’ Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June — on June 18 this year. It is dedicated to turkey lovers across America. For those who believe that Turkey is something they can only have on Thanksgiving, this day is quite an eye-opener. There are plenty of exciting and mouthwatering recipes you can make with turkey throughout the year. The fact that it is rich in protein and low in fat also makes it a healthy option.
History of Turkey Lovers’ Day
Compared to other national days, Turkey Lovers’ Day is relatively new. It was founded by the National Turkey Federation, an organization that has been promoting the use of turkey as part of America’s cuisine for the past eight decades, and Turkey Lovers’ Day was an important step in that direction.There are many reasons why the National Turkey Federation decided to commemorate this day. Firstly, more turkey is consumed outside of Thanksgiving Day than during this festival. Secondly, more people are opening up to having turkey because of its nutritional value and rich taste. The NTF also feels that it has a responsibility towards turkey farmers and the industry in general since turkey is an important part of the American food industry.Even though the commemoration of this day is not recognized by any law, the event has become quite popular simply because people love to have turkey and want to try out different recipes that they can prepare with turkey in the summer.
Turkey Lovers’ Day timeline
With the first Thanksgiving Day, turkey meat becomes an integral part of the American diet.
The National Turkey Federation begins to raise awareness about the turkey industry.
The turkey industry becomes more diversified with new meat products being marketed aggressively.
The first National Turkey Lovers’ Day is celebrated in the U.S., as announced by the National Turkey Federation.
Turkey Lovers’ Day FAQs
Is every type of turkey meat safe?
You can be confident that your turkey meat is safe to eat if it carries the USDA-grade mark, which says that the U.S. government deems it safe for consumption.
Does age affect the flavor of turkey?
Younger turkey has a milder taste compared to older turkey and is generally used for frying or roasting. Older turkey meat is also quite flavorful and can be used for heavier and slow cooking.
Is frozen turkey meat less tasty?
There is absolutely no difference in taste between frozen and fresh turkey. Which one you prefer is based on convenience and whether fresh turkey meat is available in your local stores.
How to Celebrate Turkey Lovers’ Day
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Organize a barbecue
Having a turkey barbecue with family, friends, and neighbors is a great way to celebrate Turkey Lovers’ Day. There are so many things you can make with turkey meat, including burgers, drumsticks, sandwiches, sausages, and more. The great thing is that you don’t have to worry about problems like cholesterol or high-fat content because turkey meat is very healthy. You can even make it an intimate family event if you do not want to invite a lot of people.
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Have a cooking contest
If you are like most people, you probably have not experimented with turkey meat a lot. Why not break that habit today by organizing a turkey cooking contest? Invite over your friends and try making some really fantastic new recipes with turkey meat, such as a turkey sandwich or even turkey tacos. You are sure to have hours of fun making these recipes and sharing them with your friends. You can even try selling your new turkey recipes to your local deli.
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Create a social media page
You can make a fun social media page dedicated to Turkey Lovers’ Day. It can be something as simple as uploading pictures or videos of you making a turkey recipe or even pictures of various turkey dishes. You can make your page more informative by sharing health facts about turkey meat, such as its protein and fat content, calories, and so on.
5 Facts About Bird Farming That Will Blow Your Mind
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The impact of bird flu
In 2015, a massive bird flu epidemic spread across the U.S., resulting in the deaths of 10% of poultry birds.
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More than 10 billion chickens slaughtered
Each year, more than 10 billion chickens are slaughtered across the United States.
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A cause for mental stress
Working on poultry farms, especially slaughtering birds, causes mental stress in some workers.
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Supporting the farming industry
Poultry manure is a useful material for the fertilizer industry.
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Poor hygiene standards
The poultry industry is known to have poor hygiene standards because of the way birds are fed and handled.
Why we love Turkey Lovers’ Day
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It lets you try a healthier alternative
Turkey is known to be a highly nutritious and healthy option for red meat. Given that so many people are conscious of their health, cholesterol, and blood pressure, it can be quite beneficial to explore how turkey can be made part of your regular diet. It is widely available and is very easy to prepare.
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It recognizes the efforts of turkey farmers
The turkey industry is an important part of the American economy, both in terms of local consumption as well as exports. There are almost 2500 turkey farms in the U.S. that grow different varieties of turkey throughout the year. Our support is essential for them to continue production and contribute to the economy.
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It makes our food richer
People are always looking out for new recipes and flavors. Celebrating Turkey Lovers’ Day is the perfect time to explore how new meals can be prepared using turkey meat. It is high-quality meat due to its high protein content and it is known to absorb different herbs and spices more readily than other meats.
Turkey Lovers’ Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June 19 | Sunday |
| 2023 | June 18 | Sunday |
| 2024 | June 16 | Sunday |
| 2025 | June 15 | Sunday |
| 2026 | June 21 | Sunday |
