Trend of ordering precooked Thanksgiving meals is on the rise

Since it is just two weeks away from Thanksgiving Day, stores like the Fresh Market are preparing for their first shipment of turkeys arriving Thursday morning.

Some shopper told WINK News they would be buying one to take home to prepare.

“My mom taught me how to do it, her mom taught me how to do it and it’s just tradition,” said North Fort Myers resident, Nancy Ryback.

Others say they would rather have staff take care of preparing their feast.

“Last year was the first year we ever didn’t cook our food and I was OK with that because we got to spend more time with family and enjoy being thankful for all of them,’ Fort Myers resident, Holli Hayes said.

Most stores like the Fresh Market require you to place your precook order about a week in advance. In addition to the turkey, you’ll get gravy, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and dinner rolls.

Since more and more people are partaking in the precooked meal plan, employees from all the various departments will jump in to help pack your meal.

“We’re already getting orders ready, there’s a lot of people already ordering and it’s a lot of work…corporately we sold 27,000 and we are expecting to spike this year,” Fresh Market employee, Sherrad Bratton said.

Some of the turkeys arriving Thursday aren’t just for you, if you are looking for a family in need this holiday season.

You can donate one of the Fresh Market meal kits to a family that may not be able to afford one.

The United Way and Lee County Sheriff’s Office will help deliver the meals to families in need.