North Carolina chicken processor sells directly to consumers
A North Carolina-based chicken processor is selling directly to consumers in several Southern states as the coronavirus outbreak makes some groceries harder to find.
House of Raeford spokesman Dave Witter said sales at a single location began three weeks ago and expanded to six of its seven plants in the Southeast. Witter said the company is averaging seven to 10 sales locations per day. Sales occur from Tuesday through Saturday in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana, and Witter said sales will continue as long as the company thinks it is benefiting the public as well as House of Raeford.
“Recently, the state government ‘Stay-at-Home’ orders are causing consumers to stock their freezers with meat products more than normal. Because of the demand, there have been shortages of chicken occurring in the marketplace,” the company said in a statement.
Customers can buy 40-pound (18-kilogram) cases at each location. Company personnel take orders, receive payment and carry the product from refrigerated trailers to customer vehicles, thus maintaining social distancing. Purchases are cash only.
Bruce Swain purchased several boxes of chicken breasts and another box of boneless, skinless thigh meat.
“I’ve been freezing them to make sure the people at rest homes and older people have something to eat,” he told The Wilson Times. “I’ve also got people at church who want some.”
Some showed up to wait for the trucks well before before the sale started. William and Brandy Begley got a box each of breasts and thigh meat, which they plan to share with family.
“It was worth the wait,” Brandy Begley said.
Chicken Sales, Thursday, April 16, 2020:
Raleigh, NC: N. C. State Farmers Market (front parking lot), 1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh, NC 27603
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15; Frozen Party Wings $60
Selma, NC: Campers Inn RV of Raleigh, 1501 Outlet Center Dr., Selma, NC 27576
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15; Frozen Party Wings $60
Williamston, NC: Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, 2900 NC Hwy 125 South, Williamston, NC 27892
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15; Frozen Party Wings $60
Wilmington, NC: CANCELLED – Wilmington Shrine Club, 4510 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28412
Greenville, SC: 40 lb Cases – Salvation Army – Kroc Center, 424 Westfield St., Greenville, SC 29601
10:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breast $40; Party Wings $40. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ministry.
Iva, SC: First Baptist Church of Iva, 9536 SC 81, Iva, SC 29655
10:00 AM-2:00 PM – 40 lb Cases – Tenders $40; Party Wings $40; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $40. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ministry.
Chicken Sales, Friday, April 17, 2020:
Lavonia, GA: Lavonia Church of God, 107 Bear Creek Rd., Lavonia, GA 30553
12:00 PM-6:00 PM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breast $40; Party Wings $40; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $40. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ministry.
Arcadia, LA: Arcadia Events Center, 630 Factory Outlet Dr., Arcadia, LA 71001
9:00 AM-12:00 PM – 40 lb Cases – Tenders $55; Boneless Skinless Breasts $40; Whole Bone-in Thighs $15
Kinston, NC: Vernon Park Mall, 834 Hardee Rd., Kinston, NC 28504
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15; Fresh Party Wings $60
Rocky Mount, NC: Upper Coastal Plain Research Station, 2811 Noble Mill Pond Rd., Rocky Mount, NC 27801
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15; Fresh Party Wings $60
Salemburg, NC: Salemburg Fire Department, 804 N. Main St., Salemburg, NC 28385
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15;Fresh Party Wings $60
Southport, NC: Coastal Golf Carts, 524 N. Howe St., Southport, NC 28461
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15; Fresh Party Wings $60
Wilson, NC: Hobby Lobby, 2800 Raleigh Road Pkwy. West, Wilson, NC 27896
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $45; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $35; Drumsticks $15; Frozen Party Wings $60
Greenville, SC: Relentless Church, 635 Haywood Rd., Greenville, SC 29607
10:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breasts $40; Party Wings $40; Jumbo Drumsticks $20. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ministry.
Chicken Sales, Saturday, April 18, 2020:
Forest Park, GA: Filet of Chicken, 146 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, GA 30297
8:00 AM-4:00 PM – 40 lb cases of Fresh Chicken Breasts $40; 20 lb cases of Frozen Marinated Chicken Breasts (packaged in 4 – 5 lb bags) $20.
Greenville, SC: Farmers Market/House of Raeford Plant, 1354 Rutherford Rd., Greenville, SC 29609
9:00 AM – 40 lb Cases – Tenders $40; Party Wings $40; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Breast $40; Jumbo Boneless Skinless Thighs $30; Drumsticks $20.
