Surprise Checks in Your Mail? The Great Chicken Price-Fixing Settlement is Paying Out!

Imagine this: a letter arrives in your mailbox, and inside isn't a bill, but a check! For thousands across the country, that's exactly what's happening right now, thanks to a sprawling class-action settlement concerning alleged price-fixing in the broiler chicken industry.

It sounds almost unbelievable, right? But it turns out, several major chicken producers and retailers were accused of colluding to inflate the prices of those everyday broiler chickens we all buy. This wasn't just a minor squabble; it led to a significant legal battle, aiming to get some money back into the pockets of affected consumers.

So, who exactly was involved in this whole saga? Well, some of the biggest names in grocery retail, including Costco, Safeway, and Albertsons, alongside producers like Tyson Foods and Pilgrim's Pride, decided to settle these claims. While other companies, like Foster Farms and Perdue Farms, are still fighting it out in court, these settlements mean real money is finally being distributed.

Now, for the million-dollar question (or rather, the twenty-dollar question, at minimum!): who qualifies for a piece of this pie? If you purchased fresh or frozen raw chicken – yes, those broiler chickens we're talking about – from one of the settling retailers between January 1, 2009, and July 31, 2019, you might be in luck. This includes residents of numerous states, ranging from Arizona to Wisconsin, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Just how much are we talking about? Well, it varies. For folks who filed a claim but didn't have proof of purchase – because, let's be honest, who keeps chicken receipts for a decade? – many are seeing payments in the range of $20. If you did manage to hold onto those elusive receipts, your payment could be calculated based on a rate of 10 to 15 cents per pound of chicken purchased, potentially leading to a much larger sum. It all depended on how much you bought and the total number of approved claims.

While the deadline to file an initial claim has passed (it was back on January 13, 2023), the good news is that payments are now actively being sent out to those who submitted valid claims. So, if you recall filing, keep a close eye on your mail! And for anyone whose claim might have been rejected, there's still a window to appeal, with a deadline of February 15, 2024. It’s always worth checking if you believe you were wrongly denied.

Ultimately, this settlement serves as a powerful reminder that even in seemingly minor grocery purchases, consumer protection matters. It highlights the importance of fair competition and the potential for collective action to right wrongs. So, next time you're tossing a package of chicken into your cart, you might just remember this unexpected story – and perhaps even that surprise check!