Organic Prairie

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Organic Prairie Frequently Asked Questions

Organic Prairie® Organic Turkey

What makes Organic Prairie's turkey organic?

Healthful, wholesome, and humanely raised Organic Prairie fresh and frozen organic turkey is produced by cooperative family farmers working in harmony with nature.

Our farmer-owned cooperative has been producing organic meats since 1997, according to practices that meet and often exceed USDA's National Organic Standards www.ams.usda.gov/nop, giving us confidence in saying we represent the gold-standard in organic meat production.
Our certified organic farms are annually inspected by independent third party agencies.
Organic Prairie farmers never use antibiotics, or synthetic hormones or pesticides in production. For turkeys, organic management starts the first day out of the egg.
Our turkeys receive only 100% certified organic feed, grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years.
Organic turkeys are allowed to express natural behaviors such as scratching and hunting for bugs, and have regular access to the outdoors.
We prohibit the use of cloned livestock in our flocks. Our birds are fed only certified organic feed and no genetically modified organisms (GMO's).
All spices and ingredients used in our products are approved for organic processing by the USDA's National Organic Program and certified organic whenever possible.

What are the health benefits of eating Organic Prairie's organic turkey?

Eating organic turkey is an excellent way to minimize risk of exposure to antibiotics, synthetic hormones or pesticides, as well as the harmful bacteria that are more likely to be found in meat produced in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's).
Lean organic turkey is a very good source of high density, low fat protein, and a good source of selenium, zinc, niacin, Vitamin E, betacarotene, and Vitamins B6 and B12.

Meat products from turkeys allowed access to the outdoors has 21% less total fat, 30% less saturated fat, 28% fewer calories, 50% more vitamin A, and 100% more omega-3 fatty acid than from turkey not allowed outdoor access (USDA Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education Program).

For more information on the health benefits of eating organic turkey see the Health & Nutrition links in the Resource Section at www.organicvalley.coop.

How does Organic Prairie manage animal health?

The foundation of Organic Prairie's organic livestock production is maintaining strong, healthy animals with low stress and robust immune systems. Our turkeys are raised and our meats are produced without use of antibiotics, and synthetic hormones or pesticides. Our farmers practice preventative medicine and natural remedies so that antibiotics and hormones are not needed in the first place. Further, we have within our cooperative some of the nation's foremost experts in holistic animal husbandry, and traditional and organic veterinary medicine, who we offer to our farmer members as a resource.

Is organic meat safe?

Organic meat is the safest choice because it comes from healthy animals raised on healthy land.

Our regularly audited practices lead to superior health and living conditions for our organic turkeys, a primary component in food safety.
All Organic Prairie meats are processed at federally inspected plants which are certified for organic production by a third party organic certifier accredited by the National Organic Program of the USDA.
We visit and audit all plants regularly to ensure they meet our strict quality standards, and in addition, each plant undergoes an annual third party audit for Animal Welfare and Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure a safe and humane processing environment.
Each lot of our product undergoes rigorous microbial testing far beyond that required by the USDA before shipping to ensure it meets our own quality standards.
Each unit of organic meat is traceable back to a lot. Each lot is traceable back to the farms of origin, and the Farm Plan required by the National Organic Program allows the specific animals included in the lot to be identified and traced back to hatching.

Why are our hot dogs and bacon described as "uncured?"

USDA's definition of "cured" meats are those to which synthetic nitrates and nitrites have been added in the form of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate. When those synthetic nitrates and nitrites are not used, the meat must be labeled "uncured."

Organic Prairie Uncured Turkey Hot Dogs and Uncured Hardwood Smoked Turkey Bacon are "cured," but with a curing process that uses the nitrates naturally present in celery juice (and many other vegetables), a lactic acid starter culture, and salt. During the old-fashioned process of wood-smoking, the naturally occurring nitrates in the celery juice are converted to nitrites through a lactic acid fermentation process.

Nitrites, naturally occurring or synthetic, serve a vital public health function of blocking the growth of dangerous bacteria in processed meats, and give "cured" meats their characteristic color and flavor.

What is the difference between "organic," "natural," and "free-range" turkey?

It is a common misconception that "natural" or "free-range" turkey is the same thing as "organic" turkey. This is not the case. Significant differences exist among the three. Certified organic farms are required to follow the strict standards of USDA's National Organic Program. The organic certification process is the "guarantee" to consumers these rules are being followed. There are no such standards or inspections for natural, pastured, and conventional meats.

What is High Pressure Processing?

High pressure processing is a physical treatment approved for use in organic food processing. Cooked, packaged meats are placed in a water chamber where very high pressure is applied, killing any residual bacteria without use of high heat, chemicals, or irradiation. HPP can extend shelf-life without compromising food safety in foods manufactured without use of chemical preservatives. High pressure does not diminish flavor, texture, or nutritional content.

What are good uses for Organic Prairie organic turkey?

Organic Prairie sliced deli Roast Turkey Breast and Smoked Turkey Breast make healthy lunches and picnics a snap. Delicious, low fat Uncured Turkey Bacon adds enjoyment to healthy breakfasts, and flavor to sandwiches. Uncured Turkey Hot Dogs satisfy the kids in all of us, and offer healthy summer barbecue excitement. Our whole young turkeys make pleasing meals to feed the family – large or small. Turkey is a traditional holiday favorite, and is enjoyed at festive gatherings. As the leanest of the meats typically found in the American diet, turkey is a good choice for every day meals. Generally cooking a turkey provides the basis for not just one, but many meals, such as turkey sandwiches, soup, and casseroles to name a few.

What does the "freeze by" date mean?

The "freeze by" date is the date by which it is safe to freeze a fresh meat product for later use. Thawed meat should be used immediately.

What varieties of Organic Prairie organic turkey are available?

Fresh