I’ve for several years managed to avoid getting an industrial turkey at Krogers. A couple of times, it was from a shortlived local health food store, who were able to get in heritage breed fresh organic turkeys. A couple of times, it was from a local who raised them, but they went wildly unreliable (a long painful story that got me to quit using them entirely that involved me doing a christmas morning rescue of a turkey they’d botched in the slaughtering) and I swore off. A couple of times, it’s required a trip to Memphis, a nuisance I’d like to avoid.
So is anyone else seeking a non-industrial bird? From where?
Haven’t tried it yet, NMC, but what about Market Rhes next to Big Bad Breakfast?
Rhes is closing, I’m sad to report. I didn’t ask him because of that. It’s official as of yesterday.
WHAT??!! Okay, NMC, add “where to find the best non-industrial filet” along with your turkey request!!
I’m also worried about where I’m going to get decent fish.
If you are in North Mississippi you can get great wild, heritage turkeys from the great folks form Zion farms. Usually, at the beginning of the year you sign up for a bird (this year we reserved a Bourbon Red I believe) and about this time of the year you get an email letting you know they are ready. They set up shop in Oxford on weekends in the Farmer’s Market location for pick-up. I just got my email from Ron saying our turkey was ready and that they had an abundance of extras if anyone would like to pick one up. The turkeys are “wild,” their farm is if not 100% organic it is damn near close. These birds are great eating and fun to cook. If you have ever picked upp eggs, chicken, beef or lamb from Zion farms during the market days then you know the quality of their outfit – I cannot recommend it enough.
http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M8393
It’s too bad Market Rhes is clsoing down. The one thing that we miss from our “big city” living is a Whole Foods type of market and Rhes was as close as it got. The one thing I do not understand is why Rhes did not sell more natural or organic alternatives to common foods. I liked the gourmet foods no doubt, but there is only so much marinade and dip one can buy. I think if a grocer could combine a great meat market and cheese selection like they had at Rhes with a wide selection of organic and natural alternatives – from flour to milk to cereals and grains – they might be met with success. Just a thought.
yep–I’m getting two from Zion. He told me all his bourbon reds died though a month ago. And I thought I had to drive to Pontotoc to pick them up. hmmm….
I’d wished for a few vegetables. If I could have got a couple of more staples and organic milk from Rhes, I’d have been a lot closer to breaking with Krogers permanently.
The economics of such a place are hard to sustain in a town this small. I sympathize with him totally, particularly after my experience running my brother’s video store for a couple of years after his death.
Really, to get a truly organic bird you need to start in February. Buy bug spray, camo clothing and face mast, a Lynch’s World Famous Turkey Call box, and a Remington 870 shotgun. Oh, and three inch #4 magnums. Start scouting. When the season rolls around in the middle of March you should be ready. Go out to where you’ve seen some birds, sit on the ground, make like a bush, and scrape your box call. With any luck a gobbler will walk in. Then it’s just a matter of shooting, plucking, and freezing until the following Thanksgiving. However, if you want your bird fresh, follow the same steps but make friends with some of the blue-bloods who are members of camps on the other side of the Mississippi River Levee. I hear they have a Fall turkey season (we plebs on this side of the levee can only hunt them in the Spring). Good luck!
counfounded shares a recipe you might not want to try with one of those Zion birds:
Sure, I’ve been here and year and finally find out there’s been a place to buy fish just as it’s closing! I don’t miss the Maine winter, but I sure do miss the Maine seafood selection.
Just found Market Rhes last Sunday, and was going to stop by. Ay caramba!
Gobble Gobble!