Truck Dumps Turkeys, Chickens on Highway

A truck filled with more than 8 tons of food overturned on the New Jersey Turnpike, dumping turkey roasts and whole chickens along the highway.

Jose Baratto, 51, lost control of the truck Tuesday when two tires blew out. The truck then skidded into a ditch and flipped over, authorities said.

Baratto suffered minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

The 17,000 pounds of food was being transferred to the New Jersey Community FoodBank’s southern branch in Egg Harbor Township, which is less than 10 miles west of Atlantic City.

Facing requests for 6,000 Thanksgiving turkeys, the food bank had planned to distribute the food to relief agencies, soup kitchens and food pantries.

Now, the nonprofit faces up to $12,000 in cleanup costs and paying to dispose of the food, which was not salvageable.

“It could be worse, if it happened next week,” said Evelyn Benton, branch director.

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On the Net:

Community FoodBank of New Jersey: http://www.njfoodbank.org