Small turkeys, big demand
Orefield’s Jaindl Farms sees spike in smaller bird sales as pandemic shrinks Thanksgiving plans
With the number of new coronavirus cases surging past springtime peaks nationwide, many Lehigh Valley households are downsizing one of their most beloved holiday traditions: elaborate Thanksgiving feasts with extended family and friends.
In response to the more modest celebrations, smaller turkeys such as those produced at Jaindl FarmsinOrefield have suddenly become big sellers in advance of this year’s festivities.
The turkey operation, established in 1933, hatches, grows, processes and ships turkeys of varying sizes, starting as small as 8-10 pounds and increasing in 2-pound increments up to 38 pounds, ownerDavidJaindl said.
The family business typically sells around 400,000 fresh and frozen turkeys during the holiday season, and so far, overall sales are up about 8% compared to last year, Jaindl said.
“We’re not seeing less larger turkeys being sold, but we are seeing an increase in smaller turkeys being sold,” explained Jaindl, whose grandfather, John L. Jaindl, started the business with just five turkeys purchased at a county fair. “… I couldn’t tell you a percentage, but it could be 5% more.”
Therecentdemandforsmaller turkeys is not unique to the Lehigh Valley.
Millions of Americans are passing up gargantuan gobblers astheyplantohostmoreintimate gatherings amid the pandemic, which is showing little signs of easing, even as progress on COVID-19 vaccines offer hope.
ANov. 6 Chicago Tribune articlecitedarecentsurveybyChicago-based market research firm IRI, which found only 29% of consumersareplanningtohostor attend a Thanksgiving mealwith family they don’t live with this season, downfrom48% last year.
Additionally, morethanathird said they will prepare a meal just for themselves or their household, up from 27% last year. A medianof five people will attend, compared to eight last year.
The pandemic has affected Jaindl’s operations in moreways than one.
Like countless other food production businesses, Jaindl has implemented heightened safety measures, including monitoring the temperatures of employees and limiting customers in the Jaindl Farms Retail Store on Coffeetown Road.
“We actually just set up a tent outside of the retail store because we can only allow so many people inside,” David Jaindl said. “This way, if anyone’s standing outside, they’re protected if it rains.”
In recent years, Americans have eaten around 46 million turkeys onThanksgiving, according to anestimate by the National
Turkey Federation, an advocacy organization for the country’s turkey industry. The average turkey bought for Thanksgiving is 16 pounds, the federation said.
At Jaindl Farms, the “traditional Thanksgiving turkey” is its 14-16-poundGrandChampion brand turkey, which is raised without antibiotics and fed a fresh grain diet, David Jaindl said.
A wide variety of other products include smoked whole turkeys, organic free-range turkeys, bone-in and boneless turkey breast, brined turkeys, ground turkey, turkey burgers, turkey barbecue and turkey jerky. Info: jaindl.com.
Bethlehem eats and drinks
Speaking of the holidays, The Blind Barrel, a restaurant and bar offering American pub fare
and 52 draft beers, is expected to openaroundThanksgiving at 117 E. Third St. in south Bethlehem.
The space previously housed J.P. MacGrady’s pub, which closed after 13 years of operation in 2015 following a business dispute between the owners.
The new business will be owned by Howard Altman and run by Chris LaCroix.
“We’re shooting for the week before Thanksgiving, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen,” LaCroix said. “It’ll probably be the week after.”
The Blind Barrel, with seating for about 155 customers inside andabout24customersonarear patio, will feature newandrefurbished woodenbooths, industrial pendantlighting andchalkboard, exposed brick, reclaimed wood and subway tile walls.
The bar side of the space will showcaseenlargedandcolorized Bethlehem Steel images, while the other side will present nodsto
MacGrady’s, including two large collages featuring dozens of old tin beer signs.
LaCroix, of Bethlehem, has been in the restaurant and bar industry for 25years, running the formerMacGrady’sfrom2002to 2015,theformerJ. P.McGillicuddy’s Pub at the current site of 21 CraftHouse&KitcheninBethlehem from 1996 to 2001 and the formerJ. P.O’Malley’sPubatthe current site of Union & Finch in Allentown from 1995 to 2010.
At The Blind Barrel, popular MacGrady’s eats such as chicken wings, quesadillas andmorethan three dozen varieties of “fresh, never-frozen” burgers will return alongside such menu highlights as mini crab cakes, shrimp and grits, Buffalo mac and cheese and short rib and mozzarella tots, LaCroixsaid. Info: TheBlind Barrel on Facebook.
More delicious news from the Christmas City: CakeasCanvas, specializing in custom cakes for weddings, birthdays and other occasions, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 622 W.BroadSt.inBethlehem,owner and pastry chef Huma Usmani said.
The renovated space previously housed The Mayflower Luncheonette, which closed in 2019 after more than 65 years of business.
Usmani,whoearnedherpastry arts degree from the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, has been operating Cake as Canvas out of a commercial kitchen in Allentown for the past seven years.
In addition to custom cakes, the business also offers other desserts, including decorated cookies, cupcakes and cake truffles. Cake decorating classes will be introduced down the line, Usmani said. Info: 215-667-1771.
Businesses on the move
If you’re looking to keep your wardrobe fresh this holiday season, Your Neighborhood
DryCleaner, a pickup and delivery dry cleaning business established in 2010 by Barry and Sue Diehl, is expected to move from its 3-year-old spot at 811 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown to its new location less than a mile away at 1210 W. Turner St. at the end of November, according to a news release.
The Diehls of South Whitehall Township and their partner, Jonathan Bingham of Allentown, recently purchased the two-story, Turner Street building and are planning minor renovations before operating the business in the new space in mid-December.
Your Neighborhood DryCleaner, which bills itself as a “non-toxic, biodegradable, and odorless dry cleaner,” gives customers reusable bags to put their items in for cleaning that are then converted to garment bags upon returning to customers. The business also recycles hangers.
The Turner Street building was previously occupied by Lehrman& Lehrman, a business selling awnings, canopies and window treatments. Info: yourneighborhooddrycleaner.com.
Another business on the move: Last Chance Ranch Thrift Store, selling new and gently used clothing, housewares, toys and more to benefit Last Chance Ranch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating horses and farm and domestic companion animals, held a grand reopening celebration 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at its new location in the Quakertown Commons, 93 S. West End Blvd.
The shop, founded in 2014 by Lori McCutcheon, whoalso founded the Richland Township ranch, previously operated 5 miles south at 201 S. Third St. in Coopersburg.
“Same great store, same great prices,” an email announcement reads. “We are excited to share our larger, improved space to our loyal customers.” Info: facebook. com/lastchanceranchthriftstore.