Community Corner

Talking Turkey With David Jaindl

So who cooks the bird in the Jaindl household for Thanksgiving? Are any famous tables getting a Jaindl bird? Turkey farmer David Jaindl answers our questions.

Editor's note: As Thanksgiving approaches, turkey farmer David Jaindl, owner of Jaindl Farms in North Whitehall Township, takes Patch's questions.

By Jack Tobias

Q. Will a Jaindl turkey be on the White House table [for Thanksgiving], as one has been since 1962?


We sent sent two 30 lb. birds to the White House, they just went out [Wednesday]. They are bagged in a special label created by the packaging company especially for the President.

Q. Speaking of 1962, the Kennedys were the first "first family" to feast on a Jaindl turkey. Wasn't it your late dad Fred who entered a National Turkey Federation contest in 1962 and won, thus starting the annual White House delivery?

My Father Fred, a champion breeder, won every “best dressed” and “Grand Champion Breeder” competition ever entered, held by the National Turkey Federation. This was from the mid 1950s through 1959. It was at that point he trademarked his turkey breed as “Grand Champion.” It was because of those champions that he was asked to supply the turkey to the White House and we have been asked ever since.

Q. Are there any other famous tables that have received or are receiving a Jaindl bird? In fact, have you gotten requests over the years from some of these celebrities?

Many Hollywood stars have received our turkeys over the years including Kirk Douglas, John Wayne, Michael Jordan, Goldie Hawn, Clint Eastwood and Dustin Hoffman via Warner Bros. Today Dustin Hoffman continues to purchase turkeys directly from us for himself and others. Bruce Springsteen has been buying our birds from our NJ distributor for years. 

Q. The name "Jaindl" pops up this time of year for obvious reasons. But is this really your busiest time?

We are busy all year around—breeding, hatching, growing from January through July. By far and away, this is the busiest time of the year for us by 10-fold.  

Q. How many turkeys does Jaindl sell for Thanksgiving?

We will sell about 400,000 turkeys, both fresh and frozen, for this Thanksgiving—more than any time in the past.

Q. What is the Jaindl family's Thanksgiving tradition? More important, who cooks the bird...and how big is it?

We eat a lot of turkey, many different ways. We all try to get together for Thanksgiving and generally have two 26 lb. birds, along with smoked turkey and brined turkey. My Mother Anne is the best cook, when it comes to our turkey. She has the experience, roasting over 1,000 birds over the years.

Photo: From left, manager Richard Gildner and Jaindl Farms owner David Jaindl


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