Fresh bulk chicken sales return: Dates, locations of chicken sales

Back in April and May, hundreds of cars lined up in cities around North Carolina for fresh bulk chicken drive-thru sales.

As the country struggled to keep meat on the shelves, some farms turned to these pop-up drive-thru sales of bulk chicken direct from North Carolina farms.

With the July 4 holiday approaching, several bulk chicken sales have returned.

Here's a look at the upcoming bulk-chicken sales, some of which require pre-ordering.

Mountaire Farms

Thursday, July 2 at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville

Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., accepting pre-orders only

Selling 40 lbs. cases of either leg quarters or boneless breasts.

A 40 lb. case of leg quarters will be $23.

A 40 lb. case of boneless breasts for $53.

Chicken cases can be pre-ordered for a July 2 pickup at Segra Stadium between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The pre-order form can be found here.

Thursday, July 2 at in Siler City

Location: St. Julia Catholic Church parking lot, 210 Harold Hart Road

Time: 2 to 6 p.m., accepting pre-orders only. Order by Monday, June 29 at 9 a.m.

Fresh leg quarters are $20 per case.

Frozen boneless breast are $50 per case.

Customers must pre-order here.

House of Raeford Farms

Saturday, June 27 in Wilmington

Location: Grace Baptist Church/Wilmington Christian Academy, 1401 N. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28405

Time: 9 a.m.

Selling 40 lb. cases – Jumbo Party (Cut) Wings $65; Jumbo Tenders $55; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $50; Jumbo Drumsticks $20; Jumbo Bone-in Skin-on Thighs $20.

Transporting bulk poultry safely

• Place cases of meat in an area of the vehicle that can be easily cleaned and sanitized in case of leaks, or lay down a towel or blanket that can be washed.

• Bring a cooler and ice packs if traveling long distances to keep poultry at or below 41°F.

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after handling boxes.

Storing bulk poultry safely

Freezing:

• Harmful bacteria grow fastest between 41ºF and 135ºF. Minimize time poultry is kept in this range.

• Freeze poultry as soon as possible.

• Quality can be extended by storing at 0ºF or lower and packaging for frozen storage.
• To prep for freezing: Choose containers or wraps like freezer foil or wrap or plastic freezing containers. Wrap first in a layer of plastic wrap or freezer paper, then a layer of foil, then store in a freezer bag or plastic container. Multiple layers will help maintain quality and prevent freezer burn.

Refrigerator:

• Raw poultry can be stored in the refrigerator at 41°F or below, and will maintain quality for about 7 days.

• Cooked poultry stored at 41°F or below should be consumed within seven days for safety

Always clean and sanitize equipment and surfaces before and after breaking down and packaging poultry, according to the NC State Extension.