Where to Buy the Best Free Range Turkey for Your Holiday Feast

The centerpiece of many holiday feasts 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, 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 dark, crowded barns like conventionally raised factory farm turkeys. Free range turkeys are able to 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

• Turkeys must have access to the outdoors for at least 51% of their lives. This access must be daily.

• The outdoor space must have vegetation so turkeys can engage in natural behaviors like pecking, scratching, and foraging.

• 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.

What are the 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 Free Range Turkey

Here are some of the best options for purchasing a premium quality free range turkey:

Bowman & Landes

Founded in 1919, this fifth generation family farm in Ohio provides some of the best pasture-raised, free range turkeys we’ve found. All of their whole turkeys are free range and antibiotic free with a 100% vegetarian diet.

Some key advantages of Bowman & Landes turkeys:

• Pasture access provides a more natural environment.
• Snacks on grass, bugs, and seeds contribute to great flavor.
• Raised without antibiotics, added hormones, or animal byproducts in the feed.
• Humanely processed on farm.
• Shipped fresh or frozen.

They offer high-end heritage breeds like Standard Bronze, Bourbon Red, Narragansett, and more. The website has clear information on sourcing, treatment, and processing so you know what you are getting.

D’Artagnan

Known for premium meats and game, D’Artagnan offers an exceptional free range, organic turkey. These are raised on small farms in the Midwest with full outdoor access. A 100% certified organic, vegetarian diet of corn and soy gives the meat very 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 plenty of fresh air and room 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 the organic turkey report the rich flavor is well worth the premium price.

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 many acres of 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.

Farmer Focus

This online grocer provides high-quality free range heritage turkeys from small family farms. All of their turkeys are:

• Pasture raised on a vegetarian diet with no animal by-products.
• Never given antibiotics or growth hormones.
• Processed humanely on farm.
• Free from GMOs and preservatives.

The Narragansett, Standard Bronze, Bourbon Red, and other heritage breed turkeys from Farmer Focus have exceptional flavor and texture. Their turkeys are air chilled rather than flash frozen. This makes the meat extra tender and juicy when cooked.

How Much Does Free Range Turkey Cost?

As you might expect, free range heritage breed turkeys cost more than grocery store commodity birds. Mass produced turkeys are sold at rock bottom prices because the factory farm system prioritizes efficiency over quality.

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. It’s an extra investment upfront. But food experts and chefs agree that the memorable eating experience of the higher quality meat is worth the price.

Is the Cost Worth It for Free Range Turkey?

Ultimately, paying more for pasture raised free range turkey is a price we are happy to pay. The positive impacts on animal welfare, the environment, and small family farms make it a purchase you can feel good about.

Of course, the most important factor is TASTE. Once you try a juicy, well seasoned bite of free range turkey, you’ll find it hard to go back to bland factory farm turkey. The extra investment guarantees delicious, tender meat the whole family will love.

Free Range Turkey Buying Checklist

When purchasing your holiday free range turkey, here are some things to look for:

• Pasture access – Outdoor ranging time daily.

• No antibiotics ever – Raised without routine antibiotics.

• Vegetarian feed – With no animal byproducts.

• Heritage breed – Traditional breeds with better flavor.

• Family farm sourced – Not factory farms.

• Air chilled – No excess water retention.

• Organic – USDA certified organic standards.

• Online reviews – Multiple positive customer reviews.

• Ethical farming details – Transparent welfare policies.

Enjoy an Ethical, Delicious Holiday Meal

With the popularity of free range, sustainably raised meats, it has gotten easier to find high quality holiday turkey options. Companies like Bowman & Landes, D’Artagnan, Mary’s Free Range Turkey, and Farmer Focus offer premium turkeys with transparency around welfare and farming practices.

Paying a little extra for pasture-raised, USDA organic or heritage breed free range turkey makes for a special centerpiece the whole family will savor and remember. You’ll taste the difference in tender, succulent bites and can rest easy knowing your turkey dinner aligns with your values. Here’s to a happy holiday meal!