Forget a Frozen Fowl

One of the most crucial parts of the Thanksgiving meal is of course the turkey. As millions of Americans sit down to dinner next Thursday, few will think about where their bird came from, but the cook most certainly will have to consider it at some point.

So, as the day quickly approaches, what will you do? Where will find a bird? Many local farms offer a unique source for some turkey time this year.  Instead of a frozen fowl from the area grocer, why not try seeking out a fresh hen from a local source?

Hendrick’s Farm and Dairy, located in Telford, offers free-range, all-natural poultry. The farm provides meats year-round in its goal to “feeding you like family.” Products don’t just include turkeys for Thanksgiving. According to the Hendricks Farm website, the family-owned farmstead also offers up grass-fed beef and lamb, nitrate-free uncured bacon, nitrite- and nitrate-free, gluten-free, soy-free beef hot dogs and “charcuteries including biltong, pepperone, pancetta, bresaola, and salami.”

Bolton’s Farm Market, located in Silverdale, also brings farm-fresh turkeys to local families. The Bolton family has owned and worked the farm since “Grand-pop Bolton” purchased it in 1933. The family got its start talking turkey, raising turkeys exclusively ever since. It has remained in the family, according to the Bolton’s Farm Market website.

Each year, the farm raises 15,000 fowl from start to finish. The farm, located on Main Street along Route 113, will continue to sell turkeys until sold out. To order, call 215-257-6047 or visit the online form.

Lindenhof Farm, located in Lancaster County, is owned and operated by Axel and Susan Linde. The family farm offers up Thanksgiving turkeys (along with grass-fed beef, pork or lamb and free-range chickens).

“We raise turkey and chicken, that’s our main focus. We have Thanksgiving turkey,” said Sarah Linde, daughter of Axel. “They are free-range and humanely raised.”

The family still works the three-generation farm, which encompasses 85 acres in southern Lancaster County.

“On any given day, you can be sure that we’ll have brown eggs. They are hormone-free, antibiotic free,” she said. “We also have turkey pies and chicken pies, which are definitely a big hit. They are made with vegetables and they are kind of like a pot pie.”

You can order by calling the farm at 717-529-6963 or emailing axel@lindenhoffarm.net.  There is also a form online to order your turkey. Pick-up for turkeys locally will happen at Oakmont Farmers’ Market, in the Oakmont Parking Lot, 2419 W. Darby Road, Havertown, PA on Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving from 3 to 7 p.m.

Merrymead Farm, located in Lansdale, also offers fresh, local, hormone and antibiotic-free turkeys for area residents this holiday season. Turkeys are available, according to the Merrymead website, in two-pound increments between 10 and 30 total pounds.

What if you are not cooking Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd? If you want to make a nice meal for just the two of you, or even if flying solo, Merrymead has a great solution.

“We also sell turkey breasts,” said the site. Breasts of turkey are available in six- to eight-pound sizes, eight- to 10-pound or 10- to 12-pound.

To pre-order Merrymead Farm turkeys, call 610-584-4410.