Sustainable Green Food
Sustainable Turkeys 101
Monday, November 09, 2009
by Analiese Paik of the Fairfield Green Food Guide
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and now is the time to order your turkey. When we're hosting a holiday dinner for friends and family, we naturally aim high for superior freshness and quality. And if you're like many eco-conscious consumers, you are also concerned about where and how the turkey was raised and what it was fed. Well, you are in luck because there are many excellent choices of all natural, free-range, organic, and kosher turkeys available in local stores. If you are looking for the extremely rare locally-grown, organic Heritage Turkeys, they are available for home delivery. Choosing Heritage Breeds, which have been passed down from generation to generation because they taste good, helps preserve genetic diversity as well as American culinary traditions. Please note that the most coveted birds sell out fast.
Let's start with the local and Heritage birds. You can buy local organic or local free-range Heritage turkeys from two family-owned CT farms through Connecticut Farm Fresh Express for home delivery by Thanksgiving. Turkey orders are not being taken online, so please follow the instructions outlined in this link if you wish to order a turkey. Connecticut Farm Fresh Express (CTFFE), the online retailer of exclusively CT Grown foods, is offering fresh turkeys from Ekonk Hill Farm and frozen turkeys from USDA Certified Organic Old Maid's Farm for purchase and home delivery. All the turkeys are free-range and are raised without growth stimulants or hormones. They are all pasture-raised which means that the majority of their diet has been grass and bugs, their favorite meal, and they are grain fed as a supplement only.
If you prefer buying your turkey in a local supermarket or specialty grocer, please consult the Buying Guide to Sustainable Turkeys below. If you feel you need a refresher on how to carve a turkey, Whole Foods Market Westport is holding a How to Carve a Turkey Demo on Saturday, November 7 from 11-11:30 and again from 2-2:30. Not sure which turkey is right for you? Join Analiese Paik, Founder of the Fairfield Green Food Guide at Whole Foods Market Westport on Friday, November 13 from 4-7 pm for a Turkey Tasting & Sustainable Discussion.
Buying Guide to Sustainable Turkeys
All Natural – Gozzi Guilford White at Wilton Village Market and Walter Stewart's Market; Plainville at Whole Foods Market, Wilton Village Market, Palmer's, and Balducci's; Bell & Evans at Palmer's, Shaw's, The Fresh Market, Walter Stewart's Market and Stop ' Shop; Round Hill at Wilton Village Market; and private labels at Trader Joe's, Shaw's (Wild Harvest) and The Fresh Market.
All Natural Certified Humane – Murray's at Mrs. Green's
All Natural Free-Range - Jaindl Farms at Palmer's, Whole Foods Market (under their private label), and The Pantry; Willie Bird at Palmer's exclusively
Free-Range Organic - Whole Foods Market Free-Range Organic Turkey (Eberly and Koch's Farms); Eberly at Mrs. Green's, Wilton Village Market, and Balducci's; and Grateful Harvest (Mary Pitman's Farm) at Walter Stewart's Market
All Natural Kosher – Kosher Valley at Whole Foods Market and Mrs. Green's, and Glatt Kosher at Trader Joe's
Free-Range Organic Kosher – Wise Organic Pastures at Mrs. Green's
What Kind of Turkey Do You Want?
Labels can be confusing so I've provided you with a description of all the turkeys listed above, organized by category, to help you make your decision. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
All Natural:
Gozzi Guilford White Turkey from Gozzi's Turkey Farms are either raised on their farm in Guilford, CT or on farms in Iowa using their own special breed grown according to their specifications. These turkeys are raised in enormous barns where they can roam while remaining safe from coyotes and wolves. Raised on corn and grain, the turkeys receive no hormones or antibiotics. Fresh turkeys are delivered to the store the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Plainville Farms All Natural Turkey is a fresh, humanely raised, all natural turkey grown on family farms in New Oxford, PA in the heart of Amish country. An exclusive Animal Friendly trademark, endorsed by the USDA, recognizes Plainville Farms' efforts in the humane treatment of animals. The company is committed to "producing the finest natural food products available, treating people and animals well, living and doing business in a more environmentally sustainable manner, and positively impacting our communities." Turkeys range from 10-30 pounds.
Bell & Evans turkeys all come from the same farm in Pennsylvania Dutch Country where they are raised without antibiotics or hormones and are "fed a diet that consists of corn, soy, vitamins and minerals, never any animal by-products" according to the company web site. Now this is a revelation: the web site also states that "the same producer of Bell & Evans turkeys has been the White House choice for holiday dinners for more than 30 years. Our turkeys are all-natural and bred to grow slower, produce an extremely broad breast (up to 20% more breast meat) with a moist, tender and flavorful taste." I figured it had to be Jaindl Farms growing their turkeys and my research confirmed it!
Round Hill All Natural Fresh Young Turkey is available year round at the market and is a product of Pilgrim's Pride, one of the largest poultry companies in the US and Mexico.
All Natural Certified Humane:
Murray's All Natural Turkeys are "raised in the idyllic Blue Mountains in Pennsylvania's Lancaster countryside with plenty of fresh air and room to spread their wings" according to the company web site. Murray's 100% natural turkeys are Certified Humane raised and handled, never receive growth hormones or antibiotics, and are free of preservatives or other artificial ingredients. Turkeys range in size from 10 to 32 pounds.
All Natural Free-Range:
If you'd like to eat turkey from the same farm that's supplied the White House for over 40 years, opt for a one bred selectively by Jaindl Farms, a family owned and operated business located in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. Jaindl turkeys have been selected by the National Turkey Federation to supply the turkey that graces the holiday table at the White house each Thanksgiving." Jaindl's "Blue Ribbon" all natural, free range turkey is raised in a specially designed area of their farm without the use of antibiotics and animal by-products. Choose from 8-30 pounds.
Fresh, free-range turkeys from Willie Bird Turkeys in Sonoma, CA are famous for their superior quality and taste. If the name rings a bell, it's probably because you've seen their smoked poultry products featured in Williams-Sonoma catalogs.
Free-Range Organic:
Whole Foods Market Free-Range Organic Turkey is raised in Pennsylvania by Eberly and Koch's Turkey Farms. Eberly Free-Range Organic Turkeys are U.S.D.A. inspected and certified organically grown by the Northeast Organic Farmers Association and Pennsylvania Certified Organic. These free-range turkeys are raised on small Amish and Mennonite family farms in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country without the use of growth stimulants, antibiotics or animal by products in their organic feed. The result is a tender turkey with more abundant flavor and greater meatiness. Sizes range from 8 to 30 pounds. Koch's Turkey Farms' turkeys are antibiotic free and have free range access to grassy outdoor areas that provide natural sunlight, fresh air and food. Their turkeys meet strict Humane Guidelines and Welfare Standards for Turkeys and Koch's scored a 100% on the Turkey Welfare and Humane practices independent audit by Steritech.
Eberly Free-Range Organic Turkeys are U.S.D.A. inspected and certified organically grown by the Northeast Organic Farmers Association and Pennsylvania Certified Organic. These free-range turkeys are raised on small Amish and Mennonite family farms in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country without the use of growth stimulants, antibiotics or animal by products in their organic feed. Sizes range from 8 to 28 pounds.
Grateful Harvest USDA Certified Organic Free-Range turkeys can be ordered in all three sizes - 8-12, 12-16, and 16-20 pounds. According to Alex Stewart, these turkeys are grown on third generation family-owned Mary Pitman's Free-Range Organic Turkey ranch in sunny California and are fed a certified organic high protein diet complete with the finest grains and vegetable proteins. You won't find any antibiotics, animal by-products, preservatives or hormones in a Mary's Free-Range Organic Turkey.
All Natural Kosher
Kosher Valley is an all natural, antibiotic-free, humanely raised turkey that is available between 10 and 20 pounds. According to a recent press release, "Unlike conventionally raised kosher poultry, they are fed a diet of pure corn and soybeans that is free of animal by-products. The chickens and turkeys are humanely raised with room to roam and ready access to vegetarian feed and fresh water at all times. All Kosher Valley products are certified by Rabbi Yechiel Babad and the Orthodox Union and produced in Plainville, New York."
Free-Range Organic Kosher
Wise Organic Pastures Free-Range, Organic, Kosher Turkeys are double certified – Certified Kosher and USDA Certified Organic! Former homemaker Rachel Wiesenfeld became an entrepreneur in 1992 when she founded Wise Organic Pastures. These birds are raised at Greenwood Farm in Lancaster County, PA and processed in a kosher facility. Turkeys range in size from 10 to 18 pounds.
www.fairfieldgreenfoodguide.com
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and now is the time to order your turkey. When we're hosting a holiday dinner for friends and family, we naturally aim high for superior freshness and quality. And if you're like many eco-conscious consumers, you are also concerned about where and how the turkey was raised and what it was fed. Well, you are in luck because there are many excellent choices of all natural, free-range, organic, and kosher turkeys available in local stores. If you are looking for the extremely rare locally-grown, organic Heritage Turkeys, they are available for home delivery. Choosing Heritage Breeds, which have been passed down from generation to generation because they taste good, helps preserve genetic diversity as well as American culinary traditions. Please note that the most coveted birds sell out fast.
If you prefer buying your turkey in a local supermarket or specialty grocer, please consult the Buying Guide to Sustainable Turkeys below. If you feel you need a refresher on how to carve a turkey, Whole Foods Market Westport is holding a How to Carve a Turkey Demo on Saturday, November 7 from 11-11:30 and again from 2-2:30. Not sure which turkey is right for you? Join Analiese Paik, Founder of the Fairfield Green Food Guide at Whole Foods Market Westport on Friday, November 13 from 4-7 pm for a Turkey Tasting & Sustainable Discussion.
Buying Guide to Sustainable Turkeys
All Natural – Gozzi Guilford White at Wilton Village Market and Walter Stewart's Market; Plainville at Whole Foods Market, Wilton Village Market, Palmer's, and Balducci's; Bell & Evans at Palmer's, Shaw's, The Fresh Market, Walter Stewart's Market and Stop ' Shop; Round Hill at Wilton Village Market; and private labels at Trader Joe's, Shaw's (Wild Harvest) and The Fresh Market.
All Natural Certified Humane – Murray's at Mrs. Green's
All Natural Free-Range - Jaindl Farms at Palmer's, Whole Foods Market (under their private label), and The Pantry; Willie Bird at Palmer's exclusively
Free-Range Organic - Whole Foods Market Free-Range Organic Turkey (Eberly and Koch's Farms); Eberly at Mrs. Green's, Wilton Village Market, and Balducci's; and Grateful Harvest (Mary Pitman's Farm) at Walter Stewart's Market
All Natural Kosher – Kosher Valley at Whole Foods Market and Mrs. Green's, and Glatt Kosher at Trader Joe's
Free-Range Organic Kosher – Wise Organic Pastures at Mrs. Green's
What Kind of Turkey Do You Want?
Labels can be confusing so I've provided you with a description of all the turkeys listed above, organized by category, to help you make your decision. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
All Natural:
Gozzi Guilford White Turkey from Gozzi's Turkey Farms are either raised on their farm in Guilford, CT or on farms in Iowa using their own special breed grown according to their specifications. These turkeys are raised in enormous barns where they can roam while remaining safe from coyotes and wolves. Raised on corn and grain, the turkeys receive no hormones or antibiotics. Fresh turkeys are delivered to the store the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Plainville Farms All Natural Turkey is a fresh, humanely raised, all natural turkey grown on family farms in New Oxford, PA in the heart of Amish country. An exclusive Animal Friendly trademark, endorsed by the USDA, recognizes Plainville Farms' efforts in the humane treatment of animals. The company is committed to "producing the finest natural food products available, treating people and animals well, living and doing business in a more environmentally sustainable manner, and positively impacting our communities." Turkeys range from 10-30 pounds.
Bell & Evans turkeys all come from the same farm in Pennsylvania Dutch Country where they are raised without antibiotics or hormones and are "fed a diet that consists of corn, soy, vitamins and minerals, never any animal by-products" according to the company web site. Now this is a revelation: the web site also states that "the same producer of Bell & Evans turkeys has been the White House choice for holiday dinners for more than 30 years. Our turkeys are all-natural and bred to grow slower, produce an extremely broad breast (up to 20% more breast meat) with a moist, tender and flavorful taste." I figured it had to be Jaindl Farms growing their turkeys and my research confirmed it!
Round Hill All Natural Fresh Young Turkey is available year round at the market and is a product of Pilgrim's Pride, one of the largest poultry companies in the US and Mexico.
All Natural Certified Humane:
Murray's All Natural Turkeys are "raised in the idyllic Blue Mountains in Pennsylvania's Lancaster countryside with plenty of fresh air and room to spread their wings" according to the company web site. Murray's 100% natural turkeys are Certified Humane raised and handled, never receive growth hormones or antibiotics, and are free of preservatives or other artificial ingredients. Turkeys range in size from 10 to 32 pounds.
All Natural Free-Range:
If you'd like to eat turkey from the same farm that's supplied the White House for over 40 years, opt for a one bred selectively by Jaindl Farms, a family owned and operated business located in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. Jaindl turkeys have been selected by the National Turkey Federation to supply the turkey that graces the holiday table at the White house each Thanksgiving." Jaindl's "Blue Ribbon" all natural, free range turkey is raised in a specially designed area of their farm without the use of antibiotics and animal by-products. Choose from 8-30 pounds.
Fresh, free-range turkeys from Willie Bird Turkeys in Sonoma, CA are famous for their superior quality and taste. If the name rings a bell, it's probably because you've seen their smoked poultry products featured in Williams-Sonoma catalogs.
Free-Range Organic:
Whole Foods Market Free-Range Organic Turkey is raised in Pennsylvania by Eberly and Koch's Turkey Farms. Eberly Free-Range Organic Turkeys are U.S.D.A. inspected and certified organically grown by the Northeast Organic Farmers Association and Pennsylvania Certified Organic. These free-range turkeys are raised on small Amish and Mennonite family farms in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country without the use of growth stimulants, antibiotics or animal by products in their organic feed. The result is a tender turkey with more abundant flavor and greater meatiness. Sizes range from 8 to 30 pounds. Koch's Turkey Farms' turkeys are antibiotic free and have free range access to grassy outdoor areas that provide natural sunlight, fresh air and food. Their turkeys meet strict Humane Guidelines and Welfare Standards for Turkeys and Koch's scored a 100% on the Turkey Welfare and Humane practices independent audit by Steritech.
Eberly Free-Range Organic Turkeys are U.S.D.A. inspected and certified organically grown by the Northeast Organic Farmers Association and Pennsylvania Certified Organic. These free-range turkeys are raised on small Amish and Mennonite family farms in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country without the use of growth stimulants, antibiotics or animal by products in their organic feed. Sizes range from 8 to 28 pounds.
Grateful Harvest USDA Certified Organic Free-Range turkeys can be ordered in all three sizes - 8-12, 12-16, and 16-20 pounds. According to Alex Stewart, these turkeys are grown on third generation family-owned Mary Pitman's Free-Range Organic Turkey ranch in sunny California and are fed a certified organic high protein diet complete with the finest grains and vegetable proteins. You won't find any antibiotics, animal by-products, preservatives or hormones in a Mary's Free-Range Organic Turkey.
All Natural Kosher
Kosher Valley is an all natural, antibiotic-free, humanely raised turkey that is available between 10 and 20 pounds. According to a recent press release, "Unlike conventionally raised kosher poultry, they are fed a diet of pure corn and soybeans that is free of animal by-products. The chickens and turkeys are humanely raised with room to roam and ready access to vegetarian feed and fresh water at all times. All Kosher Valley products are certified by Rabbi Yechiel Babad and the Orthodox Union and produced in Plainville, New York."
Free-Range Organic Kosher
Wise Organic Pastures Free-Range, Organic, Kosher Turkeys are double certified – Certified Kosher and USDA Certified Organic! Former homemaker Rachel Wiesenfeld became an entrepreneur in 1992 when she founded Wise Organic Pastures. These birds are raised at Greenwood Farm in Lancaster County, PA and processed in a kosher facility. Turkeys range in size from 10 to 18 pounds.
www.fairfieldgreenfoodguide.com
