Where to Get the Best Thanksgiving Turkey in the East Bay

By Alex Gronke

Last year, America’s poultry producers raised around 250 million turkeys. The great majority were inexpensive, big-breasted birds bred to cater to the country’s preference for white meat. But even as the average price per pound for a factory turkey dropped $0.03 between last Thanksgiving and today, a growing number of cooks are willing to pay a premium for turkeys that don’t come wrapped in plastic in the freezer section of the grocery store.

The two turkey farms that sell the most free range or organic birds to East Bay butchers are Diestel Family Turkey Ranch in Sonora and Willie Bird Turkeys in Sonoma.

Here’s where to get free range, organic or heritage turkeys in the East Bay:

Verbrugge on College Avenue on the Oakland/Berkeley border is selling Diestel (slow grown) and Willie Bird (free-range, organic) turkeys at $3.89 and $4.49 per pound, respectively.

Piedmont Grocery in Oakland has Diestel turkeys for 3.29 per pound.

The Local Butcher Shop in Berkeley has two varieties of BN Ranch (free range) birds. The broad breasted, which is $9 per pound, and the heritage, which is $12 per pound. The heritage bird weighs around nine pounds, and the broad breasted is in the 18-20 pound range.

Dan’s Fresh Produce in Alameda will have Willie Bird turkeys for sale.

Gene’s Fine Food in Pleasanton is selling Diestel for turkeys for $2.69 per pound.

Lawrence’s Walnut Creek Meats in Alamo will have turkeys from Dan Martinelli and Diestel. On Monday, they weren’t certain of their pricing.

Diablo Foods in Lafayette has Willie Birds for $3.49 per pound.

Armond’s Meats in the El Cerrito Natural Grocery is selling a variety of Diestel birds from $2.99 a pound to $4.99 per pound.

Whole Foods is also offering a range of Diestel turkeys, from the “natural” at $2.99 per pound to the “pasture raised” for $5.99 per pound.

You can also order turkeys shipped to your door in time for Thanksgiving.

Williams-Sonoma is selling Willie Bird turkeys.

BN Ranch is shipping both its broad breasted and heritage birds.