Organic Turkeys: Where to buy them in New Jersey
Organic and Non-certified turkeys that avoid the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, and preservatives
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.
The Popular New Jersey Organic Turkey
Heritage Turkeys - The Red Bourbon Turkey
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.
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.
New Jersey Organic Turkey Farms and Markets
Note: These suppliers (farms) have been verified either against the List of Certified USDA Organic operations or the list of NJDA-Certified Organic. Only certified operations may sell, label, or represent their product as organic unless exempt or excluded from certification.Simply Grazin Organic Farms
382 Georgetown Franklin Turnpike (Route 518)
Skillman, NJ 08558
609-309-5451
Website Simply Grazin's information & direct purchases
Retail market is located at
Skillman Farm Market & Butcher Shop
1932 US Highway 206
Skillman, NJ 08558|
Phone: 609-309-5451
Website
Simply Grazin has an Eco Cert organic Certification
Simply Grazin' is an Organic Livestock Farm located in Skillman, NJ.
They offer assistance with a discussion with the butcher which cut you would like and then you can actually watch them cut your beef, pork, veal, lamb (seasonal) or poultry.
Thumann's Inc.
670 Dell Road
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
(201) 935-3636
Website
Note: NJDA Certification Status - Certified
They offer an on line service for the purchase of packaged Golden Roasted Turkeys available in 8 succulent flavors: Cajun, Lemon & Pepper, Mesquite, Honey & Molasses, Cracked Pepper & Paprika, Italian, Hickory and Rotisserie. Thumann's oven-baked Golden Roasted turkeys are lower in salt, extremely lean and make a great alternative when you want to spice things up.
Wegman's
Sold at al New Jersey Stores
Note: Turkeys raised at Jaindl Fartms have received Pennsylvania NJDA Certification Status - Certified
Website
They sell the Fresh (non-frozen) Certified 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 turkey is raised to have more white meat than other breeds.
Whole Foods
Multiple New Jersey Locations
Note: Turkeys raised at Jaindl Farms have received Pennsylvania NJDA Certification Status - Certified
Note: Turkeys raised at Lewistown Valley Enterprises / Koch's Turkey Farm have received Pennsylvania NJDA Certification Status - Certified
Website
They sell Heritage, heirloom, organic, kosher turkeys with No antibiotics, No animal byproducts, and No supplemental growth hormones.
Certified Organic Turkeys from Jaindl Farms, are available at all New Jersey stores (except Marlton and Princeton).
Certified Organic Turkeys from Lewistown Valley Enterprises / Koch's Turkey Farm are available at Marlboro and Princeton stores.
Non-certified New Jersey Turkey Farms that avoid the use
of growth hormones, antibiotics, and preservatives
Note: These suppliers (farms) while not having been certified USDA organic, nonetheless, practice operations that avoid the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, or fillers. Some of the farms below use Sustainable agriculture systems with processes and techniques to produce healthy and environmentally safe food. Ashley Farms
25 Hillside Avenue
Flanders, NJ 07836
973-584-7578
Website
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.
The Goffle Road Poultry Farm
549 Goffle Road
Wyckoff, N.J.
Website
Sells Free Range Poultry Farming (Hormone-free) combined with its Preservative-free Fresh Killed Poultry Service. The poultry at Goffle Road Poultry Farm enjoy a non-stressful Free Roaming environment and are fed a diet of grain and corn exclusively.
Griggstown Quail Farm and Market
986 Canal Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
(Enter on Bunker Hill Rd)
908 359-5218
Website
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. The heritage breed turkeys, are the closest breed to the turkeys that the Pilgrims ate. They also raise free range traditional white turkeys and free range pheasants, which are available in the store from October until March.
Flatbrook Farm
2 Degroat Road
Montague, NJ 08727
973-948-2554
Website
A fully working farm offering free-range, grass-fed turkeys, chickens, eggs, and naturally raised beef. The farm allows the animals to live naturally on pastures and woodlands, and rotationally graze on sweet grass and legumes until appropriate maturity. The turkeys are fed transitional organic feed. Uses Sustainable agriculture systems
Hinck Turkey farm
1414 Atlantic Avenue
Manasquan, NJ 08736
732.223.5622
Website
Turkeys are fed only the fines all-natural, grains, (no animal proteins or by products), without growth hormones or antibiotics.
Lee Turkey Farm
201 Hickory Corner Rd.
East Windsor, NJ 08520-1810
(609) 448-0629
Website
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. 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.
Spring Valley Turkey Farm
402 Spring Valley Road
Old Bridge, New Jersey 08857
(732) 970-5265
Website
The turkeys are Broad Breasted Whites that live their lives on pasture grazing our open green grass and foraging outdoors as they were naturally intended to do. Their diet is supplemented with an all natural, local feed high in protein, calcium and vitamins with no added hormones, antibiotics or steroids.
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