Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC)

The ROC program encompasses some of the most robust standards for animal welfare, farmer and worker fairness, soil health, and regenerative organic farming into a clear and comprehensive label for food, textiles, and personal care products. Turkeys raised in the ROC program must have continuous access to pasture. Indoor areas must have natural light and enrichments, and only breeds that thrive on pasture are allowed.

For a deeper look at meat labels and what each one certifies, check out CIWF's Learn the Labels.

Straight From the Farm

The benefit of purchasing directly from a farm is knowing precisely where your food comes from. Visiting a farm in person is ideal, but you can also visit farms’ websites to get an idea of how their birds are raised from their photos and descriptions of the conditions and practices on the farm. Just be sure such claims are verified by an independent label, like those above!

White Oak Pastures
White Oak Pastures raises its heritage American Standard Bronze turkeys on unconfined pastures, free to scratch, peck, and dust bathe all day. At night, the turkeys can choose to go into a safely guarded mobile house to perch. Transport to slaughter is not an issue, because the farm has a USDA-inspected facility onsite — one of very few in the country. Online ordering is available.

Ayrshire Farm
This Certified Humane farm raises organic turkeys on pasture with ample shelter for resting. This environment allows the birds to express their natural behaviors. The farm is located in Middleburg, VA, but you can also order online.

Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch
This farm raises a variety of heritage turkey breeds that naturally mate, have long, productive outdoor lifespans, and are slow-growing. Farm owner Frank Reese believes in animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and breed conservancy — bringing heritage poultry back from the brink of extinction. Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch is located in Lindsborg, KS, but you can also order online via Heritage Foods USA.

Patient Wait
Their slow-growing heritage turkeys are raised on pasture on their farm in Piedmont, South Carolina and certified by Animal Welfare Approved. Orders for their turkeys can be placed online.

A Word on Cost

We acknowledge that pastured-raised, higher-welfare meat can be more expensive. There is good reason for this, as the slow-growing breeds, healthy food, outdoor space, and shelter are more costly to the farmer than intensive factory farming. However, by eating less meat overall and opting for cheaper plant-based protein such as beans more often, your overall grocery bill doesn’t have to change.

Check out some of these wallet-friendly side dishes for Thanksgiving, to help balance the cost of the meal! Just be mindful some may have animal products.

Budget Side Dish Recipes, by Taste of Home

Vegan Recipes of Thanksgiving, by EatingWell

Affordable Thanksgiving Recipes, by Food and Wine

Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner, by VegKitchen

It’s also important to remember your dollar is your vote for what food companies decide to produce and sell. By choosing higher quality, higher welfare meat, you are letting food companies know that consumers want farm animals to be treated better.

The Turkey Alternative

We couldn’t end this guide without suggesting a plant-based turkey alternative. These can be more budget-friendly, more sustainable, and more compassionate choices for your Thanksgiving meal. There are a variety of meat-free "turkey" options on the market that are available in most grocery store chains. In addition, there are dozens of homemade plant-based turkey recipes online.

Whichever option you choose, thank you for making an informed choice for a compassionate Thanksgiving this year!