For nearly 50 years, the local Jaindl Farm has provided the turkey for the White House on Thanksgiving. We see and smell the turkey farm almost every day, but we fail to realize how impactful it is. Thanksgiving is a special time to appreciate our loved ones, and this family business brings joy to the Thanksgiving table.
Jaindl was established in 1933 by John L. Jaindl and his son Fred with just five turkeys. Since then, Jaindl has grown exponentially and now produces a mind-blowing 840,000 turkeys a year. Their farm spans over 13,000 acres. Jaindl Farms also owns 160 grain farms located in Lehigh, Northampton, Schuylkill, and Berks counties. Each year, they produce 130,000 bushels of wheat, 700,000 bushels of corn, and 250,000 bushels of soybeans. A bushel is a unit of volume for measuring agricultural produce, equivalent to 8 gallons.
Inevitably, with the amount of turkeys Jaindl produces, the question of ethics comes to light. Jaindl has pages dedicated to this on their website, and they showcase the qualifications they meet and exceed. Jaindl Farms routinely receives perfect scores in Animal Welfare Audits required by the US Department of Agriculture and an “Excellent” score on the Safe Quality Food (SQF) audit, a private third-party certification. Additionally, Jaindl annually meets and exceeds animal welfare standards through third-party animal welfare audits
Jaindl doesn’t stop at turkeys and farm crops. In 2015, Jaindl acquired the beloved 100-year-old beverage company, A-Treat Soda. They also own The Club at Twin Lakes, a golf club that includes a restaurant and banquet area. In addition, Jaindl Elementary School is named after the farm and family. This reflects their impacts on the Parkland community.
The Jaindl Farm’s success was not by luck. On Jaindl’s website, a quote from Adam Jaindl says, “Early in my childhood, it was clear my father and grandfather were very hard workers with determination to not only create quality product (in all businesses), but to create something superior in the market. All this while also having the guiding principle of philanthropy in the community we live in.” It is a result of generations of hard work and dedication to growing a quality product. Jaindl’s impact isn’t just enjoyed locally, but nationally. Everyone loves to gobble down their turkey!
