Useful data Beyond bacon Pork, The National Pork Producers Council notes that pork is the most widely consumed meat worldwide. Turkey, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveals that the United States is the third-largest and global producer and consumer of pork and pork products. USDA National Agricultural Statis- Pumpkin | tics Service data show that as of Sep- tember 1, 2026, U.S. farms had 74.3 million pigs and hogs. | Season | | Of that total, 68.4 million were | | market hogs and 5.87 million were kept for breeding. | The year-end holidays | | Top Producing States: | bring together | | Iowa: | Minnesota: | North | family, friends, and | | 24.7 | 9.30 | Carolina: | traditional dishes to | | million head | million head | 7.60 | celebrate the season. million head Americans consume an average of 53 pounds of pork per person per year. Fun Fact Adult pigs can run up to 11 mph. That equals a 7-minute mile! The main course Dato curioso: Total U.S. pumpkin production reached 1.47 billion pounds. The Kansas Farm Food Connection Turkeys—especially wild notes that roughly 2,500 farms rai- ones—can fly. However, Top Producing States: se turkeys in the U.S., meaning 216 they prefer to run, and most Illinois: California: Indiana: million turkeys are raised each year. roost in tree branches. In 533 162 135 About 46 million of those are con- the 20th century, they nearly million million million sumed on Thanksgiving. went extinct, disappearing pounds pounds pounds Americans consume more than 5 from New England, where billion pounds of turkey each year, the Pilgrims started the In 2025, pumpkin availability was or nearly 16 pounds per person. Thanksgiving tradition. 5.2 pounds per person. Top Producing States: North Minnesota: Indiana: The sweet side Dato curioso: Carolina: 971.5 826 Pumpkin was very 1.1 million million According to the 2022 Census of Agri- likely served at the first billion pounds pounds culture, more than 15,000 farms pro- Thanksgiving dinner in 1621. pounds duced pumpkins for the fresh market. Scientifically, pumpkins are Every U.S. state produces pump- fruits (because they contain It takes between 75 and 80 pounds kins, but five states produced near- seeds), but culinarily, of feed to raise a 38-pound tom (the ly 72% of the 2025 crop, according they are often treated term for a male turkey). to the USDA. as vegetables. 30 • November / December 2026• abasto.com