The centerpiece of many holiday meals is a beautifully roasted free range turkey. But not all turkeys are created equal. Choosing a high quality, humanely raised free range turkey can make all the difference in creating a memorable meal. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best places to buy a delicious, juicy, antibiotic-free free range turkey.
What Makes a Turkey “Free Range”?
Simply put, free range turkeys are allowed access to the outdoors They are not confined to overcrowded barns like conventionally factory farmed turkeys Free range turkeys can move about freely, getting plenty of exercise and fresh air. This natural environment contributes to their overall health and welfare.
The free range designation has specific requirements set by the USDA:
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Turkeys must have access to the outdoors for at least 51% of their lives. This access must be daily.
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The outdoor space must have vegetation so turkeys can engage in natural behaviors like pecking, scratching, and foraging.
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Outdoor areas may be fenced or covered with netting to contain the birds, But the fencing must allow free movement and access to sunlight and fresh air,
Free range alone doesn’t guarantee that antibiotics weren’t used or that the feed was 100% vegetarian. But free range is a good baseline for humane treatment. From there, you can look for turkeys with other sustainable, ethical designations like organic, heritage breed, non-GMO, and no antibiotics ever.
Benefits of Free Range Turkeys
There are a few key benefits that set free range turkeys apart from conventional factory farmed birds
1. Superior Flavor
The free range environment and natural diet contribute to more pronounced, complex turkey flavor. The meat is often described as richer, more tender and juicy.
2. Higher Quality Feed
Free range turkeys are fed a vegetarian diet, free from animal byproducts. Some are even certified organic. More natural feed results in a better tasting bird.
3. Humane Treatment
Allowing turkeys to roam decreases stress. And the small scale farms used for free range production adhere to higher welfare standards for the birds.
4. Promotes Sustainability
Free range turkeys come from small family farms, not factory farm conglomerates, keeping dollars local. The free range model also supports biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
Where to Buy Premium Free Range Turkeys
Here are some of the best options for purchasing a high quality free range turkey:
Mary’s Free Range Turkey
A family owned company since 1954, Mary’s offers premium free range turkeys from Pitman Farms. Their free range birds are raised in low-stress barns with opportunities to roam outdoors on ranchland. A vegetarian diet is enriched with vitamins and minerals for optimal nutrition.
Highlights of Mary’s Free Range Turkey:
- No antibiotics ever administered.
- Vegetarian feed with no animal byproducts or preservatives.
- Free range access to fresh air and exercise daily.
- Third generation family farmers.
- Humane handling practices.
Mary’s has a wide selection including heirloom breed turkeys and specialty options like air chilled, certified organic, organic free range, and non-GMO turkeys. Their prices are competitive for the premium free range market.
The Kosher Marketplace
This premier kosher grocer in New York offers organic, free range turkeys humanely raised on a small family farm. These birds have won numerous awards for their exceptional taste and quality.
Benefits of The Kosher Marketplace organic turkeys:
- Pasture access provides a natural environment.
- Fed organic grains, seeds, and bugs while foraging contributes great flavor.
- Raised without antibiotics, hormones, or animal byproducts.
- Processed humanely on the farm.
- Shipped fresh or frozen.
They have heritage breeds like Bourbon Red, Narragansett, and Standard Bronze. Their turkeys meet certified humane standards for ethical, sustainable meat production.
D’Artagnan
Known for premium meats and game, D’Artagnan offers an exceptional organic, free range turkey. These are raised on small Midwest farms with full outdoor access and a 100% certified organic, vegetarian diet that gives the meat pronounced flavor.
Key features of D’Artagnan organic turkey include:
- Certified by the USDA to meet strict organic standards.
- No antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal byproducts ever.
- Free range with ample space to roam.
- Giblets included.
- Shipped fresh or frozen.
With welfare and transparency top priorities, D’Artagnan is a leader in ethically raised poultry. Those who try their organic turkey report it’s well worth the premium price.
Diestel Turkey Ranch
Family owned since 1949, Diestel turkey is pasture raised on small farms in California. Their turkeys are free to roam on rotate pastures and are fed an organic, vegetarian diet with no animal byproducts. They are humanely processed on farm.
Highlights of Diestel Turkey Ranch:
- Pasture access and foraging makes for flavorful meat.
- American Humane Certified for humane practices.
- Heirloom heritage breeds.
- Air chilled not flash frozen.
- Antibiotic free.
- Available fresh or frozen.
Diestel offers whole turkeys, breast roasts, burgers, and deli meat. Their detailed standards of quality and transparent animal welfare policies make them worth the price.
How Much Does Free Range Turkey Cost?
You can expect to spend $4 – $6 per pound for a premium free range turkey, compared to $1 – $2 per pound for a conventional turkey from a factory farm. It’s an extra investment upfront. But food experts agree the memorable eating experience of the higher quality meat makes it worthwhile.
Is the Investment Worth It?
Ultimately, paying more for pasture raised, organic, or heritage breed free range turkey is a price many are happy to pay. The positive impacts on animal welfare, small family farms, and the environment make it a purchase you can feel good about. Of course, taste is the clincher. Once you taste the succulent flavor of free range turkey, you’ll find it hard to go back to bland, mass produced turkey.
Free Range Turkey Buying Checklist
When purchasing your holiday free range turkey, here are some things to look for:
- Pasture access
- No antibiotics ever
- Vegetarian feed
- Heritage breed
- Family farm sourced
- Organic certification
- Positive online reviews
- Transparent animal welfare policies
With the popularity of free range, sustainable meats, you have excellent options for finding an ethically raised turkey packed with old-fashioned flavor. Companies like Mary’s, Diestel, The Kosher Marketplace and D’Artagnan offer premium turkeys raised humanely and processed with care. Paying a little extra gives you peace of mind that your turkey dinner aligns with your values while delighting your palate. Here’s to a happy and sustainable holiday meal!
Wondering where to buy your turkey this year? Think Old Glory
We make things easier for you around the holidays by operating our sales online, so all you have to do is stop by to pick up your fresh turkey before the big day. Our turkeys are cleaned and prepped for eating all by FDA regulation standards. We use air-tight, vacuum-sealed packaging to ensure your turkey is fresh when you dress it.
If you’ve never had fresh turkey, then prepare to be amazed by the flavor. Unlike store-bought, thawed turkeys from mass-production facilities, our turkeys are raised on an all-natural diet and prepped only days before you’re ready to make the meal.
That means the meat is juicy and moist, but sturdy enough to lock in all the flavors from its diet. We highly recommend picking up your turkey a day or two before the Holiday or meal so you only need to refrigerate it. Freezing our turkeys means you still get flavor, but like steak, the best turkey is never frozen.
Better flavor means happier guests, and a happy guest wants more—when you order your farm-raised turkey, order a pound or two bigger than you normally would. The last thing you want to do is run out of the main event.
Post-holiday sandwiches are a must. Leftovers make for great meals and snacks for days after the Holiday so make sure you order plenty for the whole gang and then some.
More questions? We have the answers!
Free range of course! Mass-production facilities feed standard (often chemically altered) feed to grow turkeys to unnatural sizes—and it tastes like it! Frozen turkeys at the holidays always have that same, dry flavor. Seasoning helps, but like steak, it all depends on the meat. Give your family the great tasting turkey they deserve this holiday: an Old Glory Farm all-natural turkey.
The Real Problem With FREE Ranging Turkeys
FAQ
Is it worth buying a free-range turkey?
Free-range birds tend to grow more slowly, meaning they have more flavour, more fat in their muscles and a better, firmer texture. For this reason, free-range turkeys are less likely to dry out when you cook them.
Do Aldi sell free range turkeys?
Established in 1988, our free-range turkey supplier rears birds with passion and an understanding of their needs resulting in delicious full flavoured meat. With welfare at the heart of their farms, the turkeys are lovingly slowly grown in East Anglia with the freedom to roam and explore their enriched environment.
Can you let domestic turkeys free-range?
They can be grown as free-range (our preferred method) or pastured turkeys. Turkeys also do well in coops, barns, and sheds, provided they have enough space. Confined birds need three to four square feet per bird, and free-range turkeys need 100 square feet per bird.
Are Bell and Evans turkeys free-range?
This holiday season, Bell & Evans offers you the choice of three fresh, whole turkeys – Premium Fresh Young Turkeys, Brined Young Turkeys and Free Range Organic Turkeys. All Bell & Evans turkeys are all-natural, raised without antibiotics and fed a healthy all-vegetable diet.