FORT LEE, Va. – Shoppers can head to their commissary in Korea starting the first week in November to pick up a turkey for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

“We’ve ordered more than 8,000 turkeys,” said Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Stuart M. Allison, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “That’s 88,000 pounds – more than enough to meet the demand of our commissary shoppers in Korea.”

The turkeys are from Australia, sold under the brand name Steggles, the same company that has been providing commissaries in Korea with frozen chicken in tray packs since August.

“Prices will be higher this year because turkeys from the U.S. are not available,” Allison added.

Several factors contribute to the higher prices on turkeys from Australia. Minimum wages and grain prices are significantly higher there compared to the U.S. Also, the supply of turkeys is not as plentiful. Australian companies don’t ramp up turkey production for November the way U.S. producers do.

Although other countries celebrate a harvest festival or day of thanks at some time during the year, the U.S. and Canada are the only countries with a nationwide Thanksgiving holiday that features turkey on the table.  

A 16-page recipe and coupon booklet, available in commissaries starting the first week in November, could help bring down the cost of purchasing a turkey. The booklets, with coupons totaling more than $38, have been provided by manufacturers of brand name products popular during the holiday season, such as stuffing mix, canned vegetables, baking ingredients, snacks, coffee and more. Discounts from the coupons are collectively applied to the purchase of a whole turkey at checkout.

The coupon booklets will be available in commissaries while supplies last and the coupons are good through Dec. 20. Shoppers can check with store management where they shop for the specific days and times the coupon booklets will be available.

Along with a turkey, shoppers will be able to find all the essential holiday side dishes for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner in their commissary.

“Whether our shoppers prefer to make it from scratch or buy it table ready, commissaries have everything in stock to make this year’s Thanksgiving feast memorable,” said DeCA’s Korea Zone Manager Wayne Walk.