Alpaca Farm Girl » The Bird: Free Range or Organic?

The Bird: Free Range or Organic?

A catalog came last week that caught my attention. I usually make myself throw them all away immediately. On the cover was a succulent photograph of a roasted turkey and the headline read Farmstead Thanksgiving. I felt as though they were speaking directly to me. Yes, we must have a Farmstead Thanksgiving here on our farm where Tapioka’s very due date is Thanksgiving. Sorry if I just ruined your appetite. Mine took a nose dive as well with that last comment.

I wondered.. what exactly is a Farmstead Thanksgiving? Basically, it is celebrating using ingredients grown locally, off the farm that are easy-to-find. Williams-Sonoma has several holiday recipes on their website including

Okay, I like cream. The catalog says, “These comforting dishes evoke a bygone era, when families gathered around the farmhouse table to share a home-cooked meal for the holiday.” I am so hooked at this point.

Then I see the turkeys. I know I’m going to need a turkey. I usually buy “fresh” ones a few days before the big day. Last year we had a family debate over whether the turkey was REALLY fresh or if it had been frozen at some point, and if the frozen ones are REALLY more fresh because they are flash frozen…and so it went. No one really cared because it tasted great, but I live in a family where everyone knows everything. Don’t you want to join us for the holidays?

This year I am going to buy one of these new-fangled, healthy choice birds from Willie Bird. I need your help. I can’t decide on the organic turkey or the free-range turkey. I’m not sure exactly what the difference is. And for those of you who do the organic thing, tell me why you do organic. My DH is very green and he could regale me for hours on the virtues of pesticide-free, but I’d rather you tell me your thoughts. (I’ll ask him on our next long car trip). Also, what are the benefits to free range? I’m really needing your help here. Please leave me your comments!

Fun Find: Real Simple and William Sonoma’s Contest to outfit your kitchen.

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Gina - RoseThistleArtworks:
November 10th, 2008 at 10:17 am

Hello. I’m no expert, but I think free range eat organic foods, too, it’s just that they’ve been let out of the cages to forage in a more natural lifestyle. I think they must be happier and less stressed in their lives. I think this translates to the end product of the food we eat being better for us.
Just my opinion. Thanks for the great link!

Gina – RoseThistleArtworkss last blog post..2008 Election VOTING Day 11/04/08 Sun Rise and Clouds

gafarmwomanPam:
November 10th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Hi Alpaca FarmGirl,
I would prefer the free range ones. The grass and natural food they eat would influence the taste of the bird. Plus on free range I would think they were able to move around and exercise. I just don’t know enough about the organic ones.
Either way the picture you have of the cook one is enough to have me ready for Thanksgiving.
Have a great day.
Pam

Gary L. West:
November 11th, 2008 at 12:44 am

Katy,

Thanks for stopping by and posting comments on the Back Forty blog. You’ve been added to our little, but growing, list.

Gary

Alpaca Farm Girl » Thanksgiving on the Farm:
November 30th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

[...] for the bad news. We tried a free-range turkey this year. Trying to be politically and environmentally correct, and going with the [...]

Patti Hall:
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:07 am

I raised several tyrkeys this year and loved it. I choose Royal Palm turkeys because they were pretty and on the smaller size, also they did not resemble wild turkeys so they wouldn’t accidentally get shot. From what I have read the different breeds of turkeys taste somewhat different not just how they are raised, what they are fed and how they are processed. Bourbon Reds are supposed to be one of the most flavorfull, can’t remember off hand what the other recomended breeds were. I think my info came from Mother Earth News.