Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s going to be a good one this year! Here at Bartlett’s, we are proud to offer high quality, humanely raised turkeys from two farms: Misty Knoll Farms and Koch’s Farm. Read a little more about them below!
Misty Knoll Farms is a family owned and operated farm located in Vermont. They raise turkeys that are widely considered the world standard for healthy and tasty poultry. Fed a vegetarian and grain free diet free from antibiotics, turkeys roam in an un-crowded environment. This grants them the natural, stress-free life and healthy diet that nature intended. Misty Knoll Farms is also an active member of the Vermont Fresh Network, which is a state-wide organization dedicated to building innovative partnerships among Vermont farmers, chefs, and consumers to strengthen Vermont’s agriculture and local economy. Additionally, all birds are processed on site in a USDA inspected facility. Since there is less travel, the birds are under less stress. Win, win, win.
Koch’s Farm was founded in 1953 by Lowell Koch and his wife Elizabeth. They started the business with only two turkey barns and a small processing plant and grew the business to 45 turkey barns by the 1980’s. Koch’s has been a pioneer in becoming one of the first to grow antibiotic-free turkeys with an all vegetarian diet. They also started a humane program eight years ago, and became the first turkey producer to be Certified Humane® with over 800,000 turkeys raised annually. Koch’s Turkey Farm was GAP (Global Animal Partnership) approved a year later. The high standards for raising turkeys this way provides Koch’s turkeys with twice the amount of space in the turkey barns as is required by normal commercial growing practices. We are thrilled work with Koch’s again this year!
Along with turkeys, we’ve also got you covered with all the fixings! Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, gravy, and more. Order online, over the phone, or in store.
Commonly asked questions:
Why are turkeys so expensive this year?
Rising costs across the farm sector and yes… Avian flu. According to the USDA, between 5 and 6 million turkeys have been affected and that figure is likely to rise as birds begin migrating for the winter (migrating wild turkeys may infect farms).
What size turkey should I buy?
We recommend at least one pound per person. (one and half pounds per person though…to ensure a decent amount of leftovers.)
Are the turkeys cooked, frozen, or refrigerated?
They are refrigerated, ready for the customer to cook. Not frozen, not cooked.
What is the difference between Cranberry Relish vs Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry Relish: Uncooked cranberries and oranges that are macerated with a bit less sugar, lending a citrus tinged condiment that is more tart and zingy! Cranberry Sauce is made using whole fresh cranberries that are cooked down with sugar to make a condiment that’s a touch mellower and sweeter.
Written and compiled by Isabelle Nicolas, Farm Stand Concierge