o 2010 was the first year Foster Farms had the distinct honor of raising the Presidential Turkey, reinforcing the significant
role of Central Valley agriculture in the national landscape.
o The 2010 Presidential Turkey was presented to President Obama by 2010 National Turkey Federation Chairman Yubert Envia,
Vice President of Turkey at Foster Farms.
o Last year’s Presidential Turkey was a Nicholas Strain bird, a prized breed which originated in California’s Sonoma Valley.
o They were raised on Wellsford Ranch in Modesto, California by Foster Farms, a company with roots dating back to 1939 when
Max and Verda Foster began raising turkeys and chickens in the heart of California’s Central Valley.
o Like all Foster Farms turkeys, these turkeys were raised with their comfort and health as top priorities, in cage-free environments and protected from the
elements. Raising turkeys in California means low humidity in the winter, an optimal location for turkey growing! The Presidential Turkeys listened
to the radio, different sounds and voices, and were handled daily in order to prepare for the big day.
o Foster Farms fed the birds a balanced, highly-nutritious, vitamin and mineral-rich diet mostly comprised of corn and soy meal.
o Each bird ate about 110 pounds worth of food which is why they weighed in at 45 pounds on Thanksgiving Day (at 20 weeks old).
o Both the Presidential Turkey and the Vice Presidential Turkey were hand selected by Yubert Envia, Vice President of Turkey
at Foster Farms and Ira Brister, Foster Farms Live Turkey Production Manager, and flown to Washington D.C. for the special
pardoning ceremony.
o California schoolchildren named the 2010 Presidential Turkey and his Vice Presidential Turkey Apple and Cider. Previous names
include Courage and Carolina, Pumpkin and Pecan, May and Flower, and Flyer and Fryer.
o The Presidential Turkey and its alternate flew from San Francisco Airport to Washington, D.C. for the pardoning ceremony.
o While in Washington, D.C. the Presidential Turkeys stayed at the W Hotel where they visited a rooftop lounge overlooking
the White House and enjoyed treats such as acorns, berries and corn.
o No special preparations were needed on the day of the pardoning. The birds cleaned and preened themselves.
o Once pardoned, the Presidential Turkeys retire to Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia, President George Washington’s home.
o Male turkeys are “toms” and are the only turkeys that gobble. Female turkeys are “hens” and communicate with clicking noises. Turkeys are social birds that prefer to stay in a flock.
o A happy, healthy flock will come up to you in a ranch house. They are inquisitive and like to peck at anything of interest to them. Upon maturity, the toms can become very aggressive and like to strut and gobble.
o Turkey is often blamed for Thanksgiving naps, but studies show it may be those extra helpings of carbohydrates causing the zzz’s, not the turkey.
o While consumers in the U.S. typically prefer white meat, which makes up 55% of the meat from the turkey, other countries tend to favor the dark meat.