US EditionGov. Tim Walz presents Gru, Minnesota’s Thanksgiving turkey
Minnesota leads the U.S. with 600 farms raising 32 million turkeys in 2025 while distributing 450 donated turkeys amid high food shelf demand and SNAP disruptions.
- Amid Thanksgiving week, the Minnesota governor welcomed Gru, the 2025 Thanksgiving turkey tom, to the State Capitol on Tuesday, framing it as an annual tradition honoring local farmers.
- The event also highlighted efforts to fight food insecurity, with $4 million in new funding for 300 Minnesota food shelves announced last month and 450 donated turkeys distributed by Second Harvest Heartland.
- The turkey itself stole the show by strutting around the governor’s reception table for roughly 20 minutes, while Shelby Barber, Minnesota 4‑H student who raised Gru, attended with agricultural leaders.
- While SNAP benefits have been restored, Second Harvest Heartland and Sarah Moberg said Minnesota food shelves logged a record 9 million visits in 2024, highlighting ongoing need for families receiving donated turkeys.
- Beyond the Capitol presentation, Minnesota's 600+ turkey farms raised 32 million birds in 2025, supplying 16% of U.S. turkeys and generating $1 billion in revenue with $78 million exports.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Gov. Tim Walz presents Gru, Minnesota’s Thanksgiving turkey
A 45-pound turkey named Gru took center stage at the Capitol on Tuesday when Gov. Tim Walz marked Minnesota’s annual Thanksgiving presentation. This year’s turkey tom, named after the “Despicable Me” character, topped last year’s 42-pound bird by 3 pounds. Gru strutted around a table in the governor’s reception room, fanning its feathers for roughly 20 minutes while Walz took questions. At one point, Gru slipped off the table and landed on the f…
Gov. Tim Walz presents Gru, Minnesota’s Thanksgiving turkey
ST. PAUL — A 45-pound turkey named Gru took center stage at the Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 25, when Gov. Tim Walz marked Minnesota’s annual Thanksgiving presentation. This year’s turkey tom, named after the “Despicable Me” character, topped last year’s 42-pound bird by 3 pounds. Gru strutted around a table in the governor’s reception room, fanning its feathers for roughly 20 minutes while Walz took questions. At one point, Gru slipped off the tabl…
Gov. Tim Walz presents Gru, Minnesota’s Thanksgiving turkey
ST. PAUL — A 45-pound turkey named Gru took center stage at the Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 25, when Gov. Tim Walz marked Minnesota’s annual Thanksgiving presentation. This year’s turkey tom, named after the “Despicable Me” character, topped last year’s 42-pound bird by 3 pounds. Gru strutted around a table in the governor’s reception room, fanning its feathers for roughly 20 minutes while Walz took questions. At one point, Gru slipped off the tabl…
Gov. Tim Walz presents Gru, Minnesota’s Thanksgiving turkey
ST. PAUL — A 45-pound turkey named Gru took center stage at the Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 25, when Gov. Tim Walz marked Minnesota’s annual Thanksgiving presentation. This year’s turkey tom, named after the “Despicable Me” character, topped last year’s 42-pound bird by 3 pounds. Gru strutted around a table in the governor’s reception room, fanning its feathers for roughly 20 minutes while Walz took questions. At one point, Gru slipped off the tabl…
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