The traditional fat Thanksgiving turkey could become another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic this year.
Retail giant Walmart is stocking more turkey breasts as people plan to get together in smaller groups. Shoppers also are expected to hit the stores earlier in November for their holiday dinners to avoid crowds at the grocery store.
"This year has brought rapid and constant change in every facet of our daily lives, and we know Thanksgiving celebrations will be no exception," Jacqui Lyons, a divisional merchandise manager at Walmart wrote online. "The sprint to Thanksgiving is likely going to be spread over a greater number of days, and the largest turkey in the freezer is less likely to be the star."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists going to large indoor gatherings with other households as a higher risk activity. Having a small dinner outside with family and friends from the community is considered to be a moderate risk and a small dinner with people who live in the same household is lower risk. Traveling also increases the chance of catching and spreading coronavirus, the CDC warns.
A survey from turkey producer Butterball found nearly 90% of consumers plan to have a Thanksgiving meal but also reported 30% said they are only hosting immediate family this year.
Still, Butterball said 75% of hosts planned to serve the same-size or larger turkey than last year.
Walmart, however, anticipates the smaller groups will mean a higher preference for smaller turkeys and cuts that don't include the whole bird.
The retailer, which still plans to have plenty of whole turkeys, has increased its offerings of bone-in and boneless turkey breasts by 20% to 30% in stores across the nation, Lyons wrote.
Lyons added Walmart has more hams on hand after sales continued to peak following Easter into summer.
"We expect that trend to continue right into Thanksgiving dinner," Lyons wrote.
Lakeland-based grocery store chain Publix plans to have the same offerings as previous years and will accommodate customers needing any size turkey, spokeswoman Maria Brous said.
"We've planned for all possibilities of what the demand may look like this year, but we'll have to wait and see what the holiday season looks like," Brous said.
Vicki Butler of Winter Garden is one person who expects a smaller Thanksgiving this year. Her holiday might end up being celebrated with just her husband and two adult children.
"Last year, we were able to get together with several friends and some of their extended family — (but it's) just uncertain how far we're going to take that this year," the 56-year-old said. "Definitely trying to keep under 10 (people)."
Butler was checking out turkeys while shopping recently in the market at Lake Meadow Naturals farm in Ocoee.
"Today will be a look and see," she said. "I do see that they do have the ability to order online as well."
The farm raised 1,200 turkeys this year and still had about 400 turkeys available recently, said owner Dale Volkert.
Farms across the state have been hit by the pandemic this year as part of the fallout from reduced restaurant business. Volkert anticipated increased retail demand for his turkeys would make up for a decrease in orders from restaurants and hotels this year.
"I think people are more aware of where their food comes from," Volkert said.
Butler, who also shops at Publix and Aldi, expected to make her Thanksgiving purchases ahead of the seven to 10 days before the holiday.
"I don't want to be in the store when it is so popular," she said.
Shopping in busy stores just before Thanksgiving, as well as on and after the holiday, is considered a higher risk activity by the CDC.
To that end, Walmart said customers can get a variety of turkeys starting on Nov. 2.
"We also learned a lot from our customers this past Easter," Lyons wrote. "To avoid crowds, shoppers stocked up earlier than ever. That's going to continue this holiday season. It's no longer about catering to a single peak the weekend before Thanksgiving."
Even with all the changes, Butler said she was still counting her blessings.
"We can still enjoy our time with our family," Butler said.
