You vowed to order a special turkey — fresh, free-range, organic — for Thanksgiving.
But you didn’t.
Fortunately, it’s not too late try something new in ‘08.
If you’re planning another turkey feast, perhaps for Christmas, you’re in luck.
Alternatives to conventionally raised birds are on the rise, offering foodies more flavor options from a variety of farms.
If you’re ready to break out of a Butterball rut, here’s a look what’s available locally for alternative turkeys.
Though some are sold fresh and won’t require days of thawing, others are sold frozen. Ask before you buy, and be sure to order in advance if you want to be guaranteed a bird.
Prices listed here reflect typical costs per pound in Snohomish County.
Reporter Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037 or sjackson@heraldnet.com. Visit her blog at www.heraldnet.com/ecogeek.
COASTAL RANGE ORGANICS: This is an organic brand owned by Foster Farms, a national producer, processor and distributor of poultry based in Livingston, Calif. These birds ($3.49 per pound) are certified organic by Oregon Tilth, one of the most rigorous independent certification programs in the county. Learn more at www.coastalrangeorganics.com.
Where: TOP Food &Drug, Haggen Food &Pharmacy
DIESTEL: This family ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills has received awards for its sustainable practices as well as rave reviews for its birds’ flavor, including repeated mentions in Bon Appetite magazine. Their offerings include a free-range turkey ($1.99 to $2.49 per pound), a Heidi’s Hens organic turkey ($2.99 to $3.99) and an organic heirloom turkey ($3.79 to $5.49). Diestel’s organic turkeys are certified by Oregon Tilth. Learn more at www.diestelturkey.com.
Where: PCC carries all three. Central Market offers all but the heirloom. Haggen Food &Pharmacy offers only the heirloom.
NORTHWEST NATURAL TURKEY: These turkeys ($1.49 to $1.69) are raised in the Northwest, primarily in Washington and Oregon.
Where: Central Market. Silvana Meats offers this turkey smoked and cured with sugar, honey and salt for $2.89 a pound.
SAMUEL’S RANCH FREE-RANGE TURKEY: This turkey ($1.89) comes from California-based Zacky Farms, a poultry producer, processor and distributor, owned by Foster Farms. Learn more at www.zacky.com.
Where: Silvana Meats
SHELTON’S POULTRY: This Pomona, Calif.-based brand is a staple in natural food stores around the county. Read all about Shelton’s, which offers turkeys seasonally, at www.sheltons.com.
Where: Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op has a limited supply of frozen birds from Shelton’s. Prices are $2.29 for free range or $2.99 for organic.
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