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Thanksgiving on a budget: How to get a free turkey, discounted meals near you

Greta Cross, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and families setting food on the table may be looking for a free or cheap way to do so.

Several grocery store chains offer free holiday products, like frozen turkeys, to customers who spend a minimum dollar amount or rack up enough points. Others offer discounted holiday meals to feed an entire family.

When it comes to free food without any strings attached, food banks and pantries, soup kitchens and faith groups are great places to start this holiday season.

Here's what to know about getting or discounts from retailers, or finding free Thanksgiving ingredients or meals ahead of the holiday.

Thanksgiving: Lower turkey costs set table for cheaper US feast this year

Feeding America

Feeding America, a national network of food banks and meal programs, offers an online tool where folks can enter their ZIP code and find a food bank near them.

Search a ZIP code at feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food/thanksgiving.

Village Super Market volunteers Leigh Hoffman, left, and Quanaisa Youmans pack up holiday boxes at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, New Jersey on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
Village Super Market volunteers Leigh Hoffman, left, and Quanaisa Youmans pack up holiday boxes at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, New Jersey on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels also offers an online tool where folks can enter their ZIP code and find a Meals on Wheels provider near them. Meals on Wheels provide programs and services to seniors around the country.

Search a ZIP code at mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals.

Spend a minimum amount at these grocery stores, walk away with a free turkey

All Faiths Food Bank held the second of two large-scale turkey distributions on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.
All Faiths Food Bank held the second of two large-scale turkey distributions on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.

Several grocery store chains throughout the country offer free turkey deals ahead of Thanksgiving. Here are a few:

  • Acme Market: Spend at least $300 by Nov. 28 and receive a coupon for a free Signature Farms frozen turkey

  • Foodtown: Accumulate $400 on a Foodtown Club Card and receive a free store-brand turkey

  • Giant Food Stores: Earn 400 reward points by Nov. 28 and receive a free turkey (generally $1 is one point)

  • Hy-Vee: Purchase a Hormel Cure 81 ham and receive a free Honeysuckle White frozen turkey all November

  • ShopRite: Spend at least $400 on a ShopRite Price Plus Club Card by Nov. 28 and receive a free holiday item, such as a Bowl & Basket turkey, Cook's smoked ham, Empire roasting chicken or Stouffer's lasagna

  • Weis Markets: Accumulate 400 points by Nov. 28 and receive a free holiday item, such as a turkey, turkey breast, bone-in ham or Tofurky's vegan ham or turkey roast (generally $1 is one point)

  • WinCo Foods: Spend at least $125 in one purchase by Nov. 27 and receive a free Honeysuckle White or Jennie-O Turkey

Discounted meal options

Folks looking to balance out a Thanksgiving meal should familiarize themselves with some discounted options at the following retailers:

Aldi Dinner Bundle

  • What it includes: Turkey, spices and seasoning, gravy, bread rolls, macaroni and cheese and stuffing; ingredients for green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and sweet potato casserole

  • Cost: around $47 through Nov. 27

  • Servings: Feeds 10

Walmart Holiday Meal

  • What it includes: Frozen turkey, bread rolls, corn, cranberry sauce, gravy, pecan pie, spices and seasoning; ingredients for green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole

  • Cost: around $52 through Dec. 24

  • Servings: Feeds 8

Walmart's Holiday meal includes a frozen turkey, bread rolls, corn, cranberry sauce, gravy, pecan pie, spices and seasoning; and ingredients for green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole for around $52. The meal serves eight people.
Walmart's Holiday meal includes a frozen turkey, bread rolls, corn, cranberry sauce, gravy, pecan pie, spices and seasoning; and ingredients for green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole for around $52. The meal serves eight people.

Target Thanksgiving Meal

  • What it includes: Frozen turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, turkey stuffing, gravy and ingredients for green bean casserole

  • Cost: $20

  • Servings: Feeds 4

Kroger Freshgiving Meal

  • What it includes: Frozen turkey, sweet potato, turkey stuffing, corn, chicken broth, turkey gravy, cream of mushroom soup, crispy French fried onions, baby carrots and bread rolls

  • Cost: about $27

  • Servings: Feeds 10

Meijer Deluxe Turkey Dinner

  • What it includes: Turkey, cranberries, green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy

  • Cost: $60

  • Servings: Feeds 6

Sam's Club Thanksgiving Meal

  • What it includes: Turkey, dinner rolls, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, brussels sprouts, cranberry crunch salad and sweet potato mash

  • Cost: $100

  • Servings: Feeds 10

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thanksgiving on a budget: How to get a free turkey near you

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