New Jersey Organic Turkeys, Information and a Listing of New Jersey Locations Where Organic, or Farm Raised Turkeys can be Purchased

Are commercially grown turkeys a good food source?
Not necessarily, especially for young, growing children. Turkeys raised by commercial farms are very different today than the turkeys found on the Thanksgiving Day table our grandparents and ancestors cooked. Today, the large majority of all turkeys raised in the U.S. are grown on commercial farms.

Commercially grown turkeys are raised in confinement in crowded conditions and are fed a diet of grain and supplements like antibiotics and growth hormones, and are packaged with artificial flavors and colors for an attractive display at your local supermarket. Antibiotics are routinely used in commercial agriculture to accelerate livestock growth and prevent diseases common to confined living quarters. Turkeys are force fed chemicals that are designed to grow large, white meaty breasts.

New Jersey Organic Turkeys.
With growing concern for the environment and food safety, parents and consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about the food ingredients they consume and give to their children.

Organically grown poultry does not use antibiotics. Antibiotics, growth hormones and artificial flavors and colors are forbidden in the production of certified organic foods which must comply with strict national standards.

A core value of the organic movement is to grow and raise farm products on small farms that are locally and regionally available to the consumer. In addition to fresher foods and reduced fossil fuel consumption, the profit from the sale of locally produced foods is more likely to find its way back into the community.
Another favorable byproduct of organic farming is the positive effect it has on the environment as a result of returning nutrients to the soil and preserving air and water from pollution and toxic pesticides and herbicides.

The Garden State is an ideal place to raise New Jersey Organic Turkeys.

While New Jersey is not noted for having the land mass to attract the large commercial farms, it is ideally situated to accommodate the small, family farm who can sustain a profitable income with organic produce, meats and poultry, purchased in the community by local consumers.

While the definition of organic continues to evolve, we have listed New Jersey organic turkey producers as having fed turkeys organic feed throughout their lives, have not been treated with antibiotics, and have been the product of small-scale turkey production with access to the outdoors, sunshine and pasture. "Free range" poultry are also free of confinement but may have been kept in a barn as opposed to the outdoors.

For the New Jersey resident or visitor who is interested in having an organic turkey for Thanksgiving, we have listed New Jersey locations where organic, or farm raised turkeys can be purchased.

New Jersey Organic Turkeys and Farm Raised Turkeys

Black Bear Country Farms
Sussex County, NJ
973-229-9782
Offers natural poultry and eggs, raised without hormone enhancements. All poultry is raised in low-stress environment on an all-natural, antibiotic-free and vegetarian diet.

The Health Shoppe
66 Morris St.
Morristown NJ
973-538-9131
They  carry D'Artagnan/Eberly chickens & Turkeys! 
Certification:
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)   
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)For Thanksgiving, they offer Venison, Ham, Wild Turkey, Guniea Hen, Duck and Geese.  Pick up is the Monday to Wednesday before Thanksgiving

Howling Wolf Farm
25 Swayze Mill Rd.
Hope, NJ 07834
908-459-4474
A family run farm offering pasture raised chicken and turkey. They farm is managed using Biodynamic methods. Sales are made direct to consumers at the farm.
Certification:
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)   
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)

Podere di Melo Farm
264 Rocktown Lambertville Rd
Lambertville, NJ 08530
David Hauser
609-397-9788
Certification:
Certified Naturally Grown (CNG)
A small, family operated farm specializing in the foods that you would typically see in the outdoor markets of Italy and France. The farm produces numerous types of European vegetables, soft fruits, free-range eggs, European-style broilers, and pastured turkeys and pork (Tamworth pigs). The farm is typically open Sundays from 1-4. Suggest calling before going to ensure that what you are looking for is in stock.