Where to find fresh Thanksgiving turkeys in the Hudson Valley

Wednesday November 7, 2012 12:00 PM By Janine Bowen

Photo credit: Doug Kuntz | Looking for a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving? The Hudson Valley offers a few options.

If you're preparing Thanksgiving dinner this year, you can avoid the hassle of the grocery store and the fights over the best frozen bird by picking up a fresh turkey from an area farm.

The catch? You'll need a little advance planning. The four farms listed below advise that you place your order as soon as possible to get the size of turkey you want. McEnroe Farm in Millerton has already sold 100 of its 400 birds, while Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills has sold out of its supply. "People start ordering in September," said Richard Biezynski of Northwind Farm in Tivoli. "If you’re ordering now, you’re ordering late.”

Below are four Hudson Valley farms that are still offering fresh turkeys this season, with details about the type of birds available and the price per pound.

Hemlock Hill Farm in Cortlandt Manor: Owned and operated by the DeMaria family since 1939, Hemlock Hill has provided Westchester County with local, all-natural food for more than 70 years (500 Croton Ave., Cortlandt Manor; 914-737-2810; hemlockhillfarm.com). The farm raises all its animals without hormones or antibiotics, so you're sure to get a fresh and healthful meal no matter what you order. The turkeys are priced at $4.79 per pound and can be picked up at the farm from Nov. 18 to Nov. 21. The farm is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

John Boy’s Farm in Pound Ridge: Opened in 2002 by John Ubaldo, John Boy's Farm raises a variety of animals that are fed only fresh grains and not genetically modified seeds (65 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; 914-646-4263). This year, the farm is offering broad-breasted white turkeys ranging from 14 to 28 pounds. The birds are $5.75 per pound and can be picked up at John Boy’s market in Pound Ridge or Erica’s Kitchen in Bedford (1 Court Rd., Bedford; 914-205-3900).

McEnroe Organic Farm in Millerton: Certified by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, this family-owned and family-operated farm uses only organic and sustainable methods (5409 Route 22, Millerton; 518-789-4191; mcenroeorganicfarm.com). The farm this year is offering its certified organic turkeys, which are raised in Dutchess County and fed McEnroe’s organically produced grain. The white broad-breasted turkeys range from 8 to 23 pounds and cost $4.99 per pound. Pickup begins Nov. 18 at the McEnroe Farm Market. Orders can be placed on the farm’s website, and once you submit the form, a representative will call you back to complete your order. McEnroe's is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday.

Northwind Farm in Tivoli: Opened in 1981 by Richard Biezynski, Northwind is a poultry farm where the animals are not given antibiotics or hormones, a practice that Biezynski believed in even before it went mainstream (185 West Kerley Corners Rd., Tivoli; 845-757-5591; northwindfarmsallnatural.com). This year, Northwind will be offering both frozen and fresh turkeys in various sizes. The New Holland white turkeys are $3.75 per pound, and a deposit of $25 is required for all orders. The deadline to mail in your deposit or drop off a check in person is Nov. 14, and the turkeys can be picked up from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19. Northwind is also offering other meats, including boneless hams. The farm is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Tags: Cortlandt Manor , Pound Ridge , Millerton , Tivoli , Westchester , Hudson Valley , Thanksgiving