This Turkey Farmer Hopes More Vaccinations Means Bigger Turkeys This Thanksgiving

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Kyra Tafel, a livestock farmer at Meadowsweet Farm in Hawley, Massachusetts, says that business boomed last year during the pandemic. Her customers were happy to have a direct source of meat during supply chain disruptions and empty grocery store shelves. But, small crowds at Thanksgiving last year meant her customers wanted smaller turkeys, which she didn’t have. That's when business started to slow again.

As vaccination rates went up, customers who found Tafel during the pandemic started to return to their normal shopping habits at the grocery store. Sales dropped.

“A lot of people said that maybe this would be good for local agriculture. It definitely seemed that way last year,” she said. “And to see it kind of drop off again this year is a little disappointing.”

She's hoping Thanksgiving might change that. High vaccination rates in Massachusetts might mean larger Thanksgiving gatherings for her customers, and therefore, larger turkey orders. It would be a welcome boost after a tough season.

Meadowsweet is a part of Sidehill Farm. More information here:
http://www.sidehillfarm.net/

Video by James O'Donnell