Tracking turkey

For the first time this Thanksgiving, US retailer Walmart will be testing the use of blockchain technology on the packaging of turkeys supplied to customers in the Texas area.

For the first time this Thanksgiving, US retailer Walmart will be testing the use of blockchain technology on the packaging of turkeys supplied to customers in the Texas area.

In a statement posted on the Walmart website yesterday (21 November), Kurt Otto – Walmart’s senior buyer for turkeys and hams – said the blockchain technology on the packaging of Fresh Honeysuckle White turkeys will allow customers “to get the full story behind the star of their meal by tracing their turkey from a family farm to their table”.

According to Otto: “This turkey technology is innovative, but also pretty simple. You just go to Walmart and pick out a turkey, then text or enter the package’s code at HoneysuckleWhite.com, where you’ll see stories of the family farmers who raised your specific turkey. You’ll also see a message directly from the farmer.”

Otto added: “It’s important for us to work with suppliers to drive transparency in the supply chain and share information with our customers. Cargill [the turkey supplier] will use the pilot as an opportunity to learn more about the value of traceability in its turkey supply chain.”