The mission of the Slow Food WiSE Heritage Turkey Project is to promote the restoration of heritage breed turkeys within our region by pairing farmers with eaters.  The first step we have taken is compiling a list of farmers raising heritage breeds.  As opposed to the Broad Breasted White turkey that dominates our industrial food system and tables, heritage breeds such as the Narragansett, Bourbon Red, and Blue Slate have varying foraging, tending and eating characteristics.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy defines true heritage turkeys with the following criteria: 1) Naturally mating; 2) Long productive outdoor lifespan; 3) Slow growth rate.

Each Year, Slow Food WiSE compiles a list of local farms offering heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving–please let us know if you, or someone you know is raising heritage breeds!

As these turkeys tend to be highly enjoyed around Thanksgiving tables, they tend to sell out rather quickly.  Please contact the farms directly for ordering and pricing information.

2012 Heritage Turkey Producer List