Pocono News Section

Turkey Sales Seeing Mixed Results

Turkey Sales Seeing Mixed Results - Monday, November 16, 2009 at 5:30PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 @ 05:30pm EST
Watsontown, Northumberland County-

With Thanksgiving just ten days away, large-scale poultry producers in central Pennsylvania say they're seeing a major decrease in sales. But we found one farmer who says things are looking up.

For the Landis family, poultry farming has been a way of life for many years. They've got about 2,500 turkeys on their farm near Watsontown. They'll sell 800-1,000 of them between now and Christmas.

Owner Joe Landis said, "In the beginning, we were a little concerned with the economy and everything but for us right now the outlook does look better. We have more orders coming in than last year. So we are seeing a slight increase."

So while the nationwide demand for turkey is dropping, some small local farmers are doing quite well.

Landis believes a lot of his success has to do with the fact that he sells direct-to-market. That means there's no middle man, no big companies. He deals with his customers face-to-face.

Landis noted, "People enjoy coming out to the farm. It's fresh, it's better-tasting is what they tell me."

Landis also stressed that his turkeys are not fed antibiotics or other artificial products.

Jeanne Vargo, of Turbotville, said, "My father came here and he ordered every one of the family turkeys and everything. And now it just seems to be carrying on. These are just as fresh as you can get."

Landis says fixed costs for things like feed and utilities did force him to slightly raise his prices by about 10 cents per pound this year.

He explained, "We did have to have a little bit of an increase. I don't think we're getting rich on everything. But yet, we do have to make something to stay here or we can't do it."

But Landis' customers say it's worth the extra few cents. And there may be another reason they keep coming back.

Vargo revealed, "His mother makes the most incredible cranberry jelly jam you've ever seen in your life, so we just love it."

The U. S. Department of Agriculture reports turkey sales nationwide could wind up as much as 20% lower than last year.