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A Year of Giving: How the U.S. Chicken Industry Gave Back in 2023

Who doesn’t want to eat protein that’s as delicious as it is nutritious, plus affordable and safe, all while being sustainable for the environment? All of these factors make chicken America’s No. 1 protein. These qualities also position chicken as an essential, high-quality protein that can help end hunger in our nation and world. In fact, the meat and poultry category is one of the most purchased and consumed food items by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households, and proteins like chicken are one of the top 3 most requested items at food banks.

With food security being a serious challenge for many people in local communities and around the globe, our industry is dedicated to helping everyone reliably access affordable, safe and nutrient-dense food. That’s why each year, U.S. chicken companies give meals, funding and volunteer time to those in need. How did our industry’s 2023 contributions stack up? Here’s a snapshot of what we know, even though overall donations are likely notably higher.

While contributing protein and monetary support is absolutely essential for helping feed our planet, the U.S. chicken industry combats chronic hunger in additional ways by:

  • Teaching the science of chicken production: Along with exporting nearly 4 billion pounds of chicken around the world in 2022, industry members also travel to other countries to teach farmers to better care for their birds and improve food security.
  • Applying biosecurity measures to safeguard health: Meanwhile in the U.S., we’re always aiming to further reduce the risk of introduction and spread of diseases, with the ultimate goal of keeping our birds healthy to maximize production.

With a growing global population on the horizon, we are acutely aware there is much more to accomplish to meet increasing protein demands. The U.S. chicken industry already produces 21% more chicken by weight than 10 years ago, and we will continue to contribute, collaborate and innovate to help everyone have dependable access to the quality food they need and deserve.

To learn more about our unwavering commitment to sustainably feeding the world, check out the 2020 U.S. Broiler Chicken Industry Sustainability Report.