New Jersey Organic Turkeys

Infromation about New Jersey Organic Turkeys and where they can be purchased.

Organic products are the fasted growing segment of food sales and New Jersey organic turkeys are no exception to this trend. With Thanksgiving being the most celebrated and most heavily traveled time of the year for family and friends to come together for a festive meal, it is also a time of the year that turkey sales are at their peak.

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.

The Garden State Is Ideal For Organic Farmed 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.

Are Factory Grown "Supermarket Turkeys"
Healthy?

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.

The popular factory raised turkey is the Broad Breasted White and are so obese that they can barely walk, fly or even lay eggs. They are incapable of mating and are artificially inseminated. Because they lack immunity to a host of diseases, they receive antibiotics in their feed. These bionic birds are sent to market in only twelve weeks .By limiting turkey production to a single strain, we are putting at risk the longevity of the breed. As a result, game bird conservationists are promoting the idea that heritage birds may someday be needed to save the bionic raised birds.

The "Supermarket" White Turkey

The White Turkey is a cross breed that is the most popular turkey sold in supermarkets. The commercially raised broad breasted white turkey is sometimes referred to as the "supermarket turkey" that is bionically raised and sent to market in 12 weeks.

Heritage turkeys are turkeys that have not been crossbred to enlarge its size and are the birds our ancestors ate at their Thanksgiving celebrations. At the turn of the 20th century each region of the country had its favorite breed of turkey. One of the more popular heritage turkeys raised in New Jersey is the Red Bourbon turkey. The Red Bourbon takes longer to grow, usually 26-28 weeks, is smaller and leaner bird with darker meat, but there is still enough white meat to satisfy everyone.The Red Bourbon turkey is better tasting, without any gamy taste.

New Jersey Organic Turkey Farms and Markets

Ashley Farms
25 Hillside Avenue
Flanders, NJ 07836
973-584-7578
They produce their own feed to ensure that the turkeys get the nutrients they need. Their turkeys are not given any growth hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, or fillers. They also are handled by a small number of people, which greatly reduces the stress on the birds and also reduces the chance that they will get sick. All processing is done on the premises and is mostly done by hand, which reduces bruising. Turkeys range in size from 13 to 45 pounds.

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.

Griggstown Quail Farm and Market
986 Canal Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
(Enter on Bunker Hill Rd)
908 359-5218
Has over 75 acres of land and raises over 35,000 pheasants, 70,000 quail, 150,000 chickens and, when in season, Mallard and Muscovy ducks, both white and red bourbon turkeys, and partridge. All the birds are free-range and all natural. They have a retail market and accept orders over their web site.

Flatbrook Farm
2 Degroat Road
Montague, NJ 08727
973-948-2554
A fully organic working farm offering free-range, grass-fed turkeys, chickens, eggs, and naturally raised beef. Certified by the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)

The Health Shoppe
66 Morris St.
Morristown NJ
973-538-9131
A retail operation that has has teamed up with 18 farmers and producers with organic certification from Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA), and The 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 both White and Red Bourbon turkeys. They farm is managed using Bio dynamic methods. Sales are made direct to consumers at the farm. Certification: Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)

Lee Turkey Farm
201 Hickory Corner Rd.
East Windsor, NJ 08520-1810
(609) 448-0629
F or more than 60 years we at Lee Turkey Farm have been producing turkeys of the finest quality. The turkeys are all raised on their farm and sold as oven ready whole turkey and turkey parts such as boneless breast meat, thighs, wings and legs. Turkey parts are perfect for the backyard grill! The turkeys are fed a natural feed mix which is made by Lee's and are raised without medications or growth hormones. Advance orders for oven ready whole turkeys are only necessary during Thanksgiving and Christmas. For the rest of the year just come on over; They have turkeys in most every size! Fresh turkeys are only available October through January 2nd.

Plaid Piper Farm
197 Wykertown Rd
Branchville, NJ  07826
973-875-4535
They raise and sell chickens, turkeys, and cattle that graze on 100 acres of natural pasture.  No growth hormones or antibiotics are used.  Their products are available for sale: Broilers form June through November; Eggs are available every day; Pork & Beef:  Fall; Turkeys, just before Thanksgiving. They raise and sell 18-30 pound Bronze Heritage Turkeys. 

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.

Wegman's
Sold at all seven Locations in New Jersey
They sell the Fresh (non-frozen) Organic Grand Champion Turkey grown on Jaindl Family Farms in Orefield, PA. This special breed is only available during the Thanksgiving season. This USDA organic, free-range turkeyis raised to have more white meat than other breeds.

Turkey Cooking Tip

Contrary to way most turkeys are cooked, do not roast your turkey with the stuffing inside the cavity. The stuffing inside prevents the interior of the turkey to reach sufficient temperatures to kill all the bacteria. Cook the stuffing and turkey separately.