Meet the Thanksgiving Lobby — the special interests with Turkey Day money on their minds

National Turkey Federation

The National Turkey Federation represents the interests of numerous turkey producers, including Butterball, Jennie-O, Perdue, Tyson, and Norbest. Maren Caruso/Getty Images

For the past decade, the National Turkey Federation has consistently spent $140,000 each year on federal-level lobbying efforts, according to lobbying disclosures filed with Congress.

Of late, the National Turkey Federation has lobbied Congress and the Department of Agriculture on a variety of issues, from animal drug regulations to coronavirus pandemic-related funding.

The federation also operates a political action committee, which has steadily increased its contributions to politicians over the years. The PAC gives money to both Republicans and Democrats but tends to favor GOP candidates.

During the 2020 election, the federation contributed money to the campaigns of several-dozen political candidates, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, and Rep. Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican who leads the National Republican Congressional Committee, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

The federation represents the interests of numerous turkey producers, including Butterball, Jennie-O, Perdue, Tyson, and Norbest.

National Wild Turkey Federation

The National Wild Turkey Federation has recently spent its lobbying dollars on preserving wild turkey habitats and supporting hunters. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press

The sportsman-focused National Wild Turkey Federation typically spends about $150,000 annually lobbying the federal government, according to lobbying disclosures filed with the US Senate.

Among its recent lobbying priorities: preserving wild turkey habitats and supporting hunters.

Ocean Spray

Ocean Spray cranberries are a Thanksgiving staple. Business Insider

Whether you like them from a can or in a marginally fresher clump, Ocean Spray cranberries are a Thanksgiving staple.

So are Ocean Spray’s lobbying efforts, which generally cost the company about $400,000 annually, according to federal records compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Its interests are wide-ranging, and include “matters concerning federal nutrition policy, conservation, trade and agricultural cooperatives; cooperative tax issues; matters concerning COVID-19,” according to recent disclosures the company filed with Congress.

Ocean Spray also sponsors a PAC, which during the 2020 election cycle contributed to 16 federal political candidates, including Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Republican Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas.

National Potato Council

The National Potato Council routinely spends six-figure amounts annually on its lobbying efforts. Shutterstock

Whether mashed or sweet, Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without spuds.

The National Potato Council also brings plenty of starch to Washington, routinely spending six-figure amounts annually on lobbying efforts.

Its recent lobbying targets include farm bill funding and favorable appropriations, tax reform, and immigration reform. Market access in Mexico, China, and Japan is also a priority, according to lobbying disclosures filed with Congress.

The National Potato Council’s PAC contributed to 18 federal-level candidates during the 2020 election cycle, including Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Rep. Jim Costa in California.