Butterball 2007 Regional Thanksgiving Survey ResultsNovember 1, 2007

The 2007 Butterball^® survey proves that while there are some Thanksgiving similarities coast to coast, there are also many regional differences that never leave the table. The online survey was conducted to determine regional differences and similarities in Americans’ Thanksgiving celebrations. Fielded by Impulse Research in May 2007, it surveyed 1,800 American adults (aged 20 and older) nationwide. The findings have a +/- 3 percent margin of error.

Key Survey Findings

What Tops Turkey?

Across the country, more than three-fourths of Americans look forward to spending time with family more than any other Thanksgiving activity, including eating turkey, enjoying leftovers, taking a nap and going shopping.

Thanksgiving Staples

The top five side dishes that Americans across all regions are most likely to have for Thanksgiving dinner are mashed potatoes (95 percent), cranberry sauce (81 percent), candied yams (63 percent), green bean casserole (59 percent) and gravy (46 percent).

Growing Gatherings

Americans are having larger Thanksgiving celebrations than in previous years, with the majority of families hosting an average 7.5 guests for dinner, compared to 6 guests in 2006—a 25 percent¹ increase.

Gobbling Giblets

The Southern regions are most likely to use turkey giblets (50 percent). In comparison, the areas least likely to use giblets are the Mountain region (30 percent) and New England (25 percent).

Mars vs. Venus

Women are more likely than men to prefer time with family, while men are more likely to look forward to the turkey and playing football. Men and women also differ on their favorite parts of the turkey: men are twice as likely to prefer the drumstick, while the majority of women stick to breast meat.

What’s in a Name?

An overwhelming 83 percent of Americans in the North say “stuffing,” but in the South, Americans were split half and half between saying “stuffing” and “dressing.” Only 1 percent of the country says “filling.”

Regional Findings

More specific findings from each of the regions surveyed are below.

Pacific Region

• Pacific states include: Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii
• Garlic and sage are favorite seasonings for cooks in the Pacific region, with more than 50 percent of cooks using a combination of both to prepare their Thanksgiving turkeys. Americans in the Pacific region are also most likely to use thyme to season their turkeys.
• Dark meat is popular among residents in this area, with 41 percent calling it their favorite part of the turkey, more than any other region.

Mountain Region

• Mountain states include: Montana, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico
• Americans in the Mountain states are more likely than any other region to serve pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, with nearly 70 percent of families enjoying the traditional dessert.

South Central Region

• South Central states include: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama
• Candied yams (or sweet potatoes) are a major staple of the Southern Thanksgiving, with 72 percent of families likely to have the side dish with dinner, versus only 47 percent in New England.
• Cooks in the South Central seem to experiment, more than any other region, with spices and seasonings, using unique herbs and spices such as paprika, cloves and rosemary to prepare their Thanksgiving turkeys.
• Although the majority of Southerners prepare their turkeys in an open pan, cooks in this region are also more likely than any other region to deep fry a turkey for Thanksgiving.
• One in four people in the South Central region are likely to serve pecan pie for dessert. In contrast, none of the respondents from the Mountain region chose pecan pie.

North Central/Midwest Region

• North Central states include: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri
• Midwestern cooks tend to spend less time in the kitchen preparing for the big day (1-3 days) versus cooks from other regions.
• Families in the Midwest are more likely than other region to enjoy green bean casserole and brown bread (steamed bread made with whole-wheat flour) as Thanksgiving side dishes.

New England Region

• New England states include: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut
• New Englanders like white turkey meat best (82 percent), more than any other region.
• People in this region responded unanimously (100 percent) that they serve mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving!

Mid and South Atlantic Regions

• Mid/South Atlantic states include: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida
• Americans in the South Atlantic regions love the turkey as much as the sides, with nearly half of respondents saying they look forward to both at Thanksgiving.
• People in this region are more likely than any other region to use cilantro to prepare their Thanksgiving turkey.

About Butterball

Butterball, LLC was formed in October 2006, when Carolina Turkeys acquired the Butterball brand from ConAgra Foods. The company is now the largest producer of turkey in the United States, with a variety of product lines distributed through its deli, retail, food service and international channels. Headquartered in Mt. Olive, NC, Butterball, LLC employs 5,700 associates throughout its six plant locations and corporate offices in Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois and North Carolina. For more information, please go to www.Butterball.com or www.CarolinaTurkeys.com.