Fresno State’s Farm Market is preparing for Thanksgiving with a special sale on student-produced food products, including frozen young turkeys at competitive prices, and a special donation of the turkeys to the Poverello House.

The University Farm will deliver 50 frozen turkeys Nov. 15 to Poverello to use at its annual Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless next week.

The turkeys, from the poultry program in the Animal Science Department of the College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, are packaged by Zacky Farms of Fresno in a partnership between the university and private industry to provide a well-rounded academic and practical experience for Fresno State ag students.

The turkeys will help feed homeless at Poverello not just on Thanksgiving, but all year as well, said Kathryn Weakland, community relations director for Poverello.

“We thank the university and all those in the community who make donations like these to help us fulfill our mission,” Weakland said.

Poverello House is a private, nonprofit, nondenominational organization that has been serving the hungry and homeless of Fresno since 1973. Poverello also operates Naomi’s House, a shelter for homeless single women and the Michael McGarvin Jr. Village of Hope, a temporary shelter for homeless people who are striving to better their lives.

Fresno State’s young turkeys were first introduced this summer and now are part of the “Thanksgiving at the Farm Market” sale that began Nov. 14. The market also is featuring smoked hams and wines, including the three new French-style wines being released as part of the Le Vin Nouveau event Thursday night (Nov. 15), said manager Jennifer Sobieralski.

The Fresno State Farm market is located at the corner of Chestnut and Barstow (access from Barstow). It is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The store will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 23.

All proceeds benefit Fresno State’s ag programs. For more information, call 559.278.4511.

For information on Poverello House, contact Weakland at 559.498.6988, extension 102.

For more information contained in this release, please go to the following Web sites:

Fresno State Turkey Project

Poverello House