Let’s talk turkey

We need to address the turkey in the room- the delicious, pasture-raised Tailfeather turkey that is.

Compared to the turkeys in the grocery store, our pasture-raised turkeys are more expensive. That is the reality of the cost of our farming practices- we move our turkeys continually onto fresh pasture instead of raising them in fixed barns (sad). We believe this to be the best way to do it, and that it gives you the best tasting and most nutritious food for your family gathering.

As farmers, we have come to appreciate the distinction between the words expensive and over-priced. Our turkeys are expensive, meaning they cost more than what you can find at the store. Over-priced however means the food was not worth it, maybe because of a middle-man’s mark up or just that it doesn’t taste as good as it should! We guarantee that our turkeys are worth the cost.

As farmers, we pay the cost to raise our turkeys on locally milled Palouse grains and lush valley pastures, so the value of our turkeys goes directly to local farmers and supports regenerative agricultural practices. As eaters, we would not put in all the effort if it did not translate to an amazing taste. We are more willing to put in the hard work to raise these birds because we know that the end result is truly worthy of a special occasion.

As chefs and hosts, the question is how many people are you inviting over? Let’s say you are hosting 12, because you know how to throw a great feast and you are super fun, or your having 15 of your own relatives over because, bless your heart, you are the only one who really can host everyone and your also organized and probably a virgo. On average, the cost of a Tailfeather turkey breaks down to about $10 of turkey per person, and that’s if everyone eats everything, which if you’ve hosted you know you’re going to have leftovers. Trust us- we have between 20-30 for our Thanksgiving, and even we had leftovers (that people fought over to take home). So in terms of the actual cost in meals made and stock saved for epic soups and marriage proposals because your turkey is so damn good, it’s important to factor in how far your delicious food will go.

Part of a good party is connecting people to the food you serve. It can be your recipe, your amazing skills with the smoker, your dry brine…and importantly the story of the food itself. We remember good food, and we live in debt to the people who take us out of our day to day with amazing meals.

All we want to say with this price breakdown and spiel is that when it comes to the cost of hosting a great meal, we want you to know that this turkey is worth it! Share food with your friends, blow their minds, and take time to celebrate — we all deserve it.

Thanks for listening to us and for creating community around food-

Theo and Erin

Tailfeather Farm