Foster Farms enters organic ground turkey market

Increasing consumer demand for organic and lean protein options has driven the expansion of Foster Farm’s turkey line.

Following the launch of Foster Farms organic fresh chicken, the US poultry producer is now introducing Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey. This now makes the company the largest producer of organic ground turkey in the Western United States.

Ground turkey sales on the up

Ground turkey sales on the West Coast are up 11% from 2014, and organic ground turkey sales are up 76%, according to IRI market research.

Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey is USDA-certified organic, antibiotic free, raised free-range on organic land and is fed an organic vegetarian diet. The product is 100% natural with no added hormones, steroids, salt, chemicals or artificial enhancers. In the coming months, the company has plans to introduce additional organic turkey products including Foster Farms Organic Whole Turkeys, which will be in California Costco stores in time for Thanksgiving.

Lean protein option

“Foster Farms is committed to producing premium turkey products that provide consumers a variety of high-quality, lean protein options,” said TJ Johnson, director of marketing for Foster Farms turkey. “We are seeing more consumers using ground turkey as a substitute in recipes to make them leaner and lighter. In line with this trend, the next logical step for Foster Farms was to add an organic option.”

Foster Farms was founded as a backyard turkey ranch in 1939 and has since been producing whole turkeys for West Coast consumers. In 1993, it expanded this production to include a complete line of fresh turkey products ranging from turkey tenderloins to ground turkey. Turkey represents a growing portion of the company’s overall business.