This Thanksgiving, it is more important than ever to support the pastured livestock producers who are preserving Albemarle County’s rural way of life. These hardworking farmers are bucking corporate pressure to Get Big or Get Out, to pour concrete on farmland, and to send profits out of state. Truly independent producers are our first line of defense against a factory farm takeover of rural Albemarle. They deserve our thanks. They need our support.
Here’s how you can buy a better bird for your Thanksgiving table:
Purchase Spring Creek Meadows Farm turkeys from Bellair Farm and pick them up at Bellair or at the IX Art Park Farmers Market. These birds are pastured to allow for foraging and supplemented with soy-free, corn-free, and non-GMO feed. Bonus: While you’re there, flesh out your side dishes with some organically grown Bellair produce.
Order ahead and pick up a free-range, heritage, broad-breasted, bronze turkey at Tilman Turkeys farm just west of Charlottesville or at their stand at the IX Art Park Farmers Market, or schedule local delivery if you live within 10 miles of the farm. Throw in a few jars of snappy Tilman pickles while you’re at it.
If you’re craving juiciness bordering on marbling, grab a Parker Family Farm turkey at Stock Provisions in Charlottesville. Call or order online until 11/15 at 8 pm. (Last-minute turkeys maybe available through next week. Call to confirm.)
And finally, luxury turkey grower KellyBronze still has birds available. These naturally bred, free-roaming birds are plucked by hand and dry-aged for better flavor and shorter cooking times. They can be pre-ordered online and picked up at the KellyBronze farm in Crozet.
We give thanks to all the growers in our region who are bravely protecting Virginia farmland by humanely growing healthy and clean food for local families.