Posts Tagged ‘slow food usa’

With the global green movement in full-swing and “greenness” sweeping across America there can be an onslaught of turkey terminology heading your way for this year’s Thanksgiving. From cage-free, range-free, natural, organic and more it can be a challenge to pick the right turkey for both your family celebration and for the least impact on the environment.

One thing that is very important to consider when “going green” in regards to food is in learning about where the food comes from in the first place. With turkeys, it can be a bit disheartening when one learns the following information: Through over consumption and the regular American want for more, more, more we have in general almost destroyed the indigenous turkey breeds in North America. This means that in order for breeders to meet the demand of bigger birds, we have developed all breeds of turkey (except for one) to such a state that these animals cannot breed on their own. To see a first hand account of this, you can watch the Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs Segment on Turkey Insemination. **Not for the faint of heart

Now, there is one breed of turkey left that are bred as nature intended and that is the Heritage Turkey. These turkeys live outdoors, they mate naturally and of course grow slower following the natural growth rate of turkeys. You can learn more about Heritage Turkeys and where to find one for your holiday celebration through Slow Food USA.

If you cannot get your hands on a Heritage Turkey direct from the farmer or farmer’s market, you can look for the Heritage Turkey type at the local Whole Foods or regular grocery store. When looking local, keep an eye out for the following turkey terminology to help you choose the right bird for the table:

• Vegetarian Fed: These birds are fed a strict diet on fruits, grains and vegetables. These birds are also not allowed outside of the pasture to forage for food as bugs are not considered part of the diet.
• Cage Free: This just means that these birds are not confined in cage. What this does not tell you, is if the bird is still left in a confined space.
• Organic: These birds are fed with pesticide and chemical free grains.
• Free Range: These birds are “free” to roam around. Depending on the farmer/breeder that they come from this could mean that they run around an outside farm, a poultry facility or inside a building.
• Day Range: The birds are outside during the day and cooped overnight.
• Pastured: These birds are free ranged on a pasture where they forage for food.

If you would like more information on Heritage Turkeys and North American Turkey history, check out the information provided by Sustainable Table and The University of  Illinois Turkey for the Holidays.

And if you need some help finding a local or organic bird near you, try the Whole Foods Stores or an open search through Local Harvest.

Technorati Tags: dirty jobs, eco turkey, Green Holiday, green turkey, heritage turkey, local harvest, organic turkey, slow food usa, sustainable table, turkey breed