Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Montpelier, Vt – Turkey Day is coming soon…do you know where your turkey is? Don’t wait until the last minute to find one!

For many Vermonters, the holiday season would not be complete without a farm-fresh Vermont turkey cooking slowly in the oven. For many Vermonters, buying the holiday bird fresh from the farm is a tradition just like getting the family Christmas tree.

The tradition factor aside, the growing concern about knowing where your food comes from also factors into Vermonters buying more local foods, including their holiday turkey. Coupled with a trend toward staying closer to home, Vermont turkey producers are expected to fare well this year according to state agriculture officials.

“There is a national trend toward buying locally grown farm products and Vermont is at the forefront,” said Roger Allbee, Secretary of Agriculture. “We have seen a significant increase in the Buy Local program here at the agency underscored by the increase in Farmers’ Markets, year round markets, and the success of events such as the recent buyer and seller Matchmaker.”

The biggest reason to buy your turkey from a local producer? Freshness and taste! Due to the Vermont climate, turkeys grown here are plumber than most, giving them a much better taste. They also require very little, if any, basting.

In Vermont, farmers raise over 51,000 turkeys a year which translate to an economic impact of over 1.8 million dollars. Look for a list of Vermont turkey producers in the upcoming holiday edition of Vermont Harvest in your local newspaper or visit www.vermontagriculture.com