FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Sherrie Rosenblatt, National Turkey Federation
202-898-0100 ext. 233, srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org
or Leslee McGovern, Devine & Pearson
617-472-2700 ext. 137 lmcgovern@devine-pearson.com

NTF Applauds USDA's $20 Million Emergency Turkey Purchase

WASHINGTON, DC - Aug. 4, 2003 - The National Turkey Federation (NTF) applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Marketing Service's (AMS) decision to purchase $20 million worth of deli-style turkey breast products.

"NTF and the entire turkey industry commend AMS for its continued dedication to purchasing turkey products," said NTF President Alice L. Johnson, D.V.M. "We are extremely pleased with the agency's willingness to approve the emergency purchase of turkey deli meat, which will provide a tasty, nutritious, affordable product to school children and help the turkey industry."

AMS' decision to purchase additional turkey breast products was based on an NTF request that will help stabilize turkey market prices and ease burdening inventories. High feed prices, stagnant domestic consumption and disruption in important export markets are causing extreme economic distress in the turkey industry, which has created a large accumulation of breast meat products in storage facilities.

The emergency purchase of turkey breast will not only help the turkey industry, but also will increase the amount of turkey breast meat - a very healthy and well-liked product - eaten by school children across the country and will be offered by the turkey industry to AMS at a very attractive price.

The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry. It's award winning web site www.eatturkey.com offers successful on-line professional chef cooking demonstrations and a searchable database of more than 300 recipes that exhibit turkey's versatility as a profit-building item, which enhances menus in all meal occasions during every season of the year. Operators can also go to www.eatturkey.com to sign up for the RecipE-mail program to register and receive unique recipe ideas that add flair to holiday and special occasion menus year-round.