Looking to serve a healthy, locally produced Thanksgiving dinner this year? Well, I’ve got some resources for you, right here in New York State!

When planning a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, roast turkey usually comes to mind first. Many of us grew up on frozen turkeys from the grocery store, and the memory of that flavor (slightly sweeter than fresh) is what gets our mouths watering in late November. However, now that there is more information available on the consequences of ingesting foods tainted with artificial growth hormones, antibiotics, and animal by-products, many of us are looking for healthier alternatives. Take a trip to one of our local, organic* turkey farms this year and enjoy the flavor of fresh turkey, support a local farmer, and serve your guests a healthy dinner!

Columbia County
Van Wie Natural Foods
Hudson
518-828-0533/ vanwienaturalmeats.com
Van Wie raises free range turkey on a vegetarian diet with no antibiotics, no artificial ingredients, and no preservatives. They will ship anywhere in the United States.

Dutchess County
Quattro’s Game Farm
Pleasant Valley
845-635-2018
Quattro’s raises free-range turkeys that are free of additives, antibiotics and growth hormones. They are fed a vegetarian grain diet and are available for sale at the farm’s store on Route 44 and at the Rhinebeck Farmers Market.

Seneca County
McDonald Family Farm
Romulus
pasturepride.com
They raise turkeys free of chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, genetically modified grains, and confinement housing. Pick up is available at sites in Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, and New York City, or you can call first to arrange a pick up at their working farm.

Tioga County
Kingbird Farm
Berkshire
607-657-2860/ kingbirdfarm.com
Kingbird sells their free-range, organic feed-fed turkeys at their self-serve farm store and at the Ithaca Farmers Market. They have organic potatoes, too!

If none of these farms are near enough for local pick up, consider Plainville Turkey Farm (plainvillefarms.com) in Onondaga County. They raise all natural turkeys free of antibiotics and growth hormones and ship them to upscale grocery stores like Wegmans (all over Western New York) and specialty stores like Village Prime Meats in Armonk, Johnny’s Meats in Buffalo, Balducci’s in Manhattan, Spurbeck’s in Cooperstown, and My Market in New Paltz.

Also, Table Local Market in Westchester County's Bedford Hills is offering a limited number of heritage turkeys (8-11 and 12-15 lbs. each) raised on a small New York farm. You may place your order by calling 914-241-0269.

So, now you’re wondering about the mashed potatoes (my favorite). Some vegetables are known to be “dirtier” (highest in pesticides) or “cleaner” (lowest). When it comes to potatoes, unfortunately, spuds are on the dirtier list. So, for “clean,” organic potatoes you’ve got three options: your local health food store like Wholefoods (several downstate locations) or Mustard Seed Natural Food Market in Oswego; nearby farmers markets; or take a ride to an organic farm such as The Meadows Farm in Yorktown Heights, Mud Creek Farm in Victor, or Biophilia Organic Farm in Jamesport.

Sometimes it’s not so easy to go both local and organic, like when you’re looking for cranberries for your relish. Do not despair! While they are not grown in New York, Cranberry Hill’s crop of rich, ripe, tangy berries is organically grown in nearby Plymouth, MA, and you can order fresh or sweet dried to be delivered to your door.

This Thanksgiving we have an opportunity to support our local farmers and eat healthier, tastier food. And that, my friends, is something to be grateful for. Happy, healthy eating!


*There are a variety of labels out there for organic foods, so do your research at www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255. You’ll want to know the difference between “certified organic” and “made with organic products.”

“Locally produced” means it’s grown or raised nearby and did not require an excessive amount of energy to make the trip from the farm to your table. Buying locally produced food is a way of supporting local farms, so they aren’t driven out of business by mass-production food corporations.

"Free-range" means the turkeys (or any farm animals, for that matter) are allowed to move freely and are not contained in an inhumane manner. This often results in a healthier, leaner animal.