We all know the struggle of having to dish up the biggest dinner of the year. The planning and the preparations can be daunting, especially with the heat on for family and friends.  

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be as stressful as we make it out to be.  Instead, let’s focus on planning a Thanksgiving with roots in mind: a locally grass-fed turkey and fresh, seasonal side dishes. To make it easy for you, we created a one-stop-shop guide for finding all the components to have a sustainable Thanksgiving: Reading Terminal Market Style.

Where to Find a Humanely-Raised Turkey in Philadelphia

First things first: the main dish.

For you carnivores, this means the turkey: the centerpiece of the table and what ties everything together.  Did you know that the Fair Food Farmstand offers a variety of locally raised organic turkeys?

Tell your doubting Aunt Debbie that the conditions  in which turkeys are raised (any animal for that matter), reflect the quality of meat that we consume.  Animals on natural diets (i.e., what they’re supposed to eat), are typically healthier and produce higher quality meat with more of the good fats like omega-3s, according to food expert, Michael Pollan.  You’ll support local farmers and up the senses or all your guests.

Not interested in meat? Meatless options can exclude a ‘traditional’ main, or replace a turkey with something like a seitan roast from Miss Rachel’s Pantry.

Perfect, local Thanksgiving side dishes

How you compliment the main dish is JUST as important as the main affair.  The side dishes should colorful, fresh, and reflect the products of the season.  

What’s in season, you ask?  

Obviously, more traditional items like sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, and apples are perfect in November.  Alternately, switch it up from the classics with other great produce in season. Start with a spiced up salad made of arugula and kale with scallions and radishes, drizzled with a mustard seed and vinaigrette dressing.  Instead of a boring plate of cooked carrots with butter, roast them parsnips, olive oil, and garlic.  Or try a new spin on an old classic like cheddar or lime cauliflower (also available at the Fair Food Farmstand).

If you’re making a dash through Reading Terminal, look for inspiring side dishes in Iovine Brothers Produce, with aisles of colorful and unique fruits and vegetables that will be sure to please your thanksgiving crowd.

Whatever you create for your Thanksgiving meal, challenge yourself with the 100 mile theory (aka try to create a meal sourced within 100 miles). You’ll celebrate local farmers with a meal that tastes so good, you’ll forget that you’re reducing the carbon footprint as well!

Readers, what are your thanksgiving favs?

Feature Photo Credit: Reading Terminal Market

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is a senior at Saint Joseph’s University, majoring in Communications & Digital Media. She has a passion for traveling, fitness, and food sustainability (and food in general)! She spent a semester abroad in Florence, experiencing how sustainability-conscious Europe is, which inspired her to do her part, too. Her dream career includes the continuation of traveling internationally. View all posts by Jessica Rutkowski