How you can help yourself, the environment, your local economy and 45 million turkeys this Thanksgiving
Each year, 45 million turkeys are killed in late November to provide us with our traditional Thanksgiving feast. Factory-farmed turkeys exist in horrid factory conditions until they are slaughtered by ethically questionable methods. However, it’s not only the inhumane treatment of animals that raises concerns but also the health repercussions for the consumer as well as factory farming’s overwhelming contribution to water, land and air pollution.
But there is a solution.
According to Eatwild, Northern Virginia is home to 21 farms that adhere to a strict criteria ensuring a higher standard for raising and slaughtering animals. Eatwild’s extensive criteria include: a low-stress, natural environment from birth to market; turkeys must have access to quality pasture and receive a significant amount of their nourishment from growing plants for at least six hours a day; streams and other natural water sources are protected from harmful animal impact; animals are not fed grain, soy, corn silage or concentrate.
Chicama Run Farm in Purcellville is listed on Eatwild. Owned by Dana Sacco and operated by Sacco and five of her family members, Chicama Run quickly sold out of preordered turkeys for this Thanksgiving, though there may be more turkeys for purchase after this weekend.
Sacco started with two Angus cows and 25 chickens in 2005. Ten years later, Sacco leased land for 40 beef cattle. The farm now includes 800 laying chickens, ducks, pigs and dairy cows.
Stepping away from a career in computers in 2005, Sacco’s passion for the farm is ever-growing. “I know where our food is from, and beyond that, we want to share it with others. We consider a lot of our customers our friends,” she says.
Sacco says they see customers from all over Northern Virginia and as far as south of Richmond.
“People want to know where their food comes from. They want their meat to be grass-fed with no preservatives. Plus, our pricing is competitive compared to Wegmans and Whole Foods,” Sacco says.
Chicama Run Farm is just one of 21 farms listed below that you can visit in Northern Virginia in order to stock your fridge and freezer with humanely raised, well-fed animals including meat, eggs and dairy products.
Smith Meadows Free-Range Meats
Rancho Christina / Christina’s Café
Croftburn Farm
