Unraveling the Story Behind the Honeysuckle White Turkey Brand

As you gather with family and friends this holiday season, the centerpiece of many festive meals will be a juicy roasted turkey For delicious and reliable turkey, many home cooks turn to the Honeysuckle White brand But despite its popularity, some people don’t know the story behind the Honeysuckle White turkey company. Who actually owns and produces this famous turkey brand?

In this article, I’ll trace the origins of Honeysuckle White turkeys and look at how the brand changed hands over the years while maintaining its reputation for quality.

The History and Origins of Honeysuckle White Turkeys

The Honeysuckle White turkey brand traces its roots back to the 1950s in Minnesota. A turkey processor called Gorton’s of Minnesota first came up with the Honeysuckle White brand name in 1954. The name was chosen to evoke images of the honeysuckle flower and conjure up ideas of beauty, sweetness and rural family farms.

Gorton’s turkey processing plant where Honeysuckle White turkeys were first produced was located in Gibbon, MN. The company’s focus was on raising high-quality turkeys and partnering with local Minnesota family farmers to supply birds for their brand.

The Honeysuckle White brand aimed to provide turkeys that were tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Their successful formula and memorable name quickly made Honeysuckle White a leading turkey brand, especially in its home state of Minnesota.

Ownership Changes in the 1980s and Beyond

In the 1980s, Gorton’s of Minnesota was acquired by ConAgra Foods Inc. ConAgra continued producing the Honeysuckle White turkeys while expanding distribution nationwide. By the late 1980s, Honeysuckle White had become the number one brand of whole turkey in America.

The Honeysuckle White brand was then sold by ConAgra to Cargill Inc. in 1993. Cargill is one of the largest privately held companies in America and has major interests in agriculture and food production.

Under Cargill’s ownership, Honeysuckle White strengthened its network of family turkey farms supplying birds across the Midwest. The brand also moved into producing a wider range of turkey products including ground turkey, turkey burgers, turkey bacon, sausages, cold cuts, and more.

However, Cargill remained committed to the brand’s heritage of providing high-quality whole turkeys raised without antibiotics by family farmers. This combination of innovation and consistency helped Honeysuckle White continue thriving as America’s top turkey brand.

Key Attributes of Honeysuckle White Turkeys Today

So what exactly makes Honeysuckle White turkeys stand out today? Here are some of the key attributes that keep fans loyal to this brand:

• Raised without antibiotics – Honeysuckle White turkeys are raised by farmers committed to not using antibiotics or growth hormones. This helps produce a more natural and healthier turkey.

• Traceable from farm to table – Each Honeysuckle White turkey can be traced back to its original family farm source, ensuring quality control and accountability.

• USDA verified – Since 2015, the USDA has verified Honeysuckle White’s commitment to consistent quality standards under their Process Verified Program.

• Juicy, flavorful meat – These turkeys are bred and fed to promote juiciness, tenderness, and robust turkey flavor.

• Range of products – You can now enjoy Honeysuckle White premium turkey taste beyond whole birds with lunch meats, sausages, burgers, and ground turkey.

• Trusted family brand – Millions of happy holiday meals over decades have made this a go-to turkey brand consumers rely on.

Meeting the Independent Farmers Behind Honeysuckle White

A key part of the Honeysuckle White brand identity centers around the network of family farmers who supply the turkeys. Cargill maintains strong partnerships with over 60 independent family farms primarily in the Midwest who meet the brand’s standards.

You can actually meet some of the dedicated farm families who raise Honeysuckle White turkeys on their website. For instance, there’s Glenn and Sheri who run Riverhill Farms in the Shenandoah Valley. Or Micah and Krista of Edom Hill farm who share the brand’s belief in raising turkeys free of antibiotics.

Reading these family stories connects you more to where your Honeysuckle White turkey was raised with care. It highlights the farmers’ commitment to quality and to providing the best turkeys possible for your family’s table.

Why Honeysuckle White Remains America’s #1 Turkey Brand

Given its distinct history and continued dedication to quality, it’s easy to see why Honeysuckle White remains the top selling turkey brand today. When consumers buy Honeysuckle White turkeys, they can depend on bringing home the great taste and wholesomeness of American family farm traditions.

The Honeysuckle White turkey brand has certainly gone through changes and owners over the decades. But through every transition, it stayed true to its identity and values around premium quality turkeys raised with care. For exceptional taste you can trust, choose Honeysuckle White turkeys to grace your holiday table this season.