There’s less than 30 days until Thanksgiving. Have you ordered your turkey? Is your menu set? It’s the ultimate comfort food feast, but the star of the table can be a source of stress for many. Plenty of turkeys can found at your local Shop Rite or Pathmark, but if you’re looking for an organic or a heritage turkey for environmental concerns or for just a more flavorful bird, there are many options locally and online.
But wait, what is heritage turkey?
There are 10 heritage breeds identified in the American Poultry Association's turkey Standard of Perfection of 1874. The Heritage Turkey Foundation was formed to protect the existing breeds and to promote heritage turkeys to the American market. Heritage turkeys take more time to reach market weight compared to the typical supermarket turkey, but many who have tasted heritage breeds say that the cost and wait are worth it. For more information, please go to their site for more information: www.heritageturkeyfoundation.org.
And what’s the difference between organic and natural and free-range?
Check out the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website for a glossary of labeling terms.
Don’t wait until the last minute to buy your turkey, almost all purveyors require pre-ordering to ensure delivery time for Thanksgiving.
Sources in New Jersey:
Whole Foods Market – Order your turkey online or in the store. You are also able to specify the date and time for pick up. The process for pick up is relatively quick and you can pay for the turkey when they hand you the turkey. There is no need to stand in line with your 20 pound turkey! Online orders will be available on October 29th and in stores on November 1st.
Burning Heart Farm – Pastured organic heritage turkeys are available from this New Jersey producer located in Hackettstown. If you plan ahead, Heritage turkey orders made by March 15th will ensure that a turkey will be raised for you to be ready by Thanksgiving. After March 15th, all orders will be taken “first come, first served”.
Goffle Road Poultry Farm – The only “live market/farm in Bergen County”. Fresh turkeys are available for pick up at this New Jersey farm in Wyckoff. Last orders are taken a week before the holiday.
Sources online:
Gilt Taste – An online magazine and market for food and wine lovers. Selections are handpicked from premium purveyors. From shiso leaves to knishes, they offer a wide variety of food and wine. They are currently offering Fresh Amish Heritage turkeys from Robinson's Prime Reserve in Kentucky.
Williams Sonoma – The housewares and cookware retail giant is offering fresh organic turkeys produced by Willie Bird, a producer in Sonoma, California. There are also pre-brined and smoked turkey options. Order by November 18th to ensure delivery in time for Thanksgiving.
D’Artagnan – A leading purveyor of organic poultry in the nation. Their premium products are used in many of New York City’s 4-star restaurants.
Heritage Foods USA – The heritage turkeys are produced by Leaping Waters Farm in Virginia. They will deliver your turkey by Tuesday, November 22nd.
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