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Welcome to Swarthmore's Food Blog

Several members of the community involved in the slow food movement, local foods, nutrition and cooking will be posting on this blog on a regular basis. We look forward to your comments and replies.

FRESH THANKSGIVING TURKEYS

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and here at the Co-op we are getting lots of questions about the turkeys we are offering, as well as what size to purchase. You can figure about 1 lb. per person for smaller turkeys (10-16 lbs.) and approximately 3/4 lb. for larger turkeys (18-30 lbs.). When you pick up your turkey, we have printed information on cooking times, tips for preparation, and brining techniques. This information is posted on our website as well.

KOCH TURKEY FARM

Now for the turkeys themselves. We have been fortunate to develop a working relationship with one of the best turkey growers in our region. Koch Farms is family owned, founded by Lowell and Elizabeth Koch in 1953. Today, the farm is nestled on 60 acres in the beautiful open-sky country of Lewistown Valley, Pennsylvania. For over half a century, the Koch’s have kept alive the traditional values of their Pennsylvania Dutch Heritage.

FRESH, TENDER & JUICY

Koch Turkeys are delicious because they grow, the way nature intended, without growth promoting hormones, stimulants or antibiotics. Fed an all natural vegetarian diet from the Koch feed mill, provided with plenty of sunshine and open pastures to roam. These practices guarantee a delicious, all natural Turkey, that is unsurpassed in quality.

HUMANE PRACTICES FOR KOCH TURKEYS

The Turkeys at Koch Farms are antibiotic free and have free range access to outdoor areas, providing natural sunlight and fresh air. Turkeys meet strict Humane guidelines and Welfare Standards. These guidelines take into account the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), practical standards for the proper care of and Treatment of Turkeys. Koch scored a 100% on the Turkey Welfare and Humane practices independent audit by Steritech.

ALL NATURAL & ORGANIC TURKEY

Koch Farms also provides the Co-op with Organic Turkeys. The primary difference between an All Natural Turkey and an Organic Turkey is the Organic Turkey has all of the qualities of the All Natural, but is fed an exclusive diet of feed that is grown on an Organically Certified Farm. The additional cost in an Organic Turkey is directly linked to the increased cost of Organic Feed.

HERITAGE TURKEYS

We are offering Red Bourbon Heritage Turkeys from Griggstown Farm. The Red Bourbon turkey is a heritage bird that has not been crossbred to enhance its size, takes longer to grow and is a smaller, leaner bird with darker meat, but there is still enough white meat to satisfy everyone.

Despite its leaner disposition, the Red Bourbon turkey does not have a gamy taste, but does, in some inexplicable way, taste better. All turkeys are raised outside and are truly free range birds.

Red Bourbon turkeys are significantly smaller with a range of 7-15 pounds. The Co-op is offering Heritage Turkeys at $7.99 lb. Customers who purchased a Heritage Turkey last Thanksgiving have reorderd again this year, with rave reviews.

For additional infomation on our Turkeys, or any other of our Holiday offerings, or place an order please call 610.543.9805 or email swacoop@comcast.net

From all of us at the Co-op Our Best Wishes

to You and Your Family a

Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving!