Hutterite turkeys are better than store bought?

No one is absolutely certain about what makes a Hutterite turkey so tasty.

But there are many people who know they are great, and who know a Hutterite-raised turkey will sit on their Thanksgiving table. 

And they are willing to brave the cold, the wind and the roadways to get them.

That’s good news to Dan and John Kleinsasser, who travel to Polson from Ponderay each year to sell turkeys and other homemade goods raised and created on their farm.The brothers set up shop in the Polson Bay Grocery and Gas Station parking lot for the past five years. 

This year, the brothers were here for two Thanksgiving-time sales days, said George Mahoney, Polson Bay Grocery owner.

All Hutterite turkeys and chickens are state health department certified, he said.

Lynn Chapman of Polson said she buys one every year.

“I don’t know why they are better,” she said. I guess they are just real chickens and turkeys. They are closer to the ground. They are the best.”

Glenda Woods of Polson agreed. 

“I love their food. It’s the best,” she said. “I think it’s the way they raise them.”

Dale Cooley, of Dayton waited while his wife filled her bags with a variety of home-grown vegetables, turkeys and other items.

“It’s because they are massaged daily and fed beer,” Cooley said. “No, no not really. I’m just joking.”

Dan Kleinsasser said his turkeys are good because they are free range and fed barley wheat. 

The Kleinsasser brothers traveled to Polson to sell their items during Farmer’s Market season for 21 years and Thanksgiving turkeys for nine, he said.

The brothers keep their shop open during their Thanksgiving visits until about 3 p.m., or until they are sold out.