Turtle Island Foods
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Turtle Island Foods is the company which produces Tofurky, a popular vegetarian and vegan alternative to turkey, as well other meatless products. All are vegan and approved by the UK Vegan Society, and most are kosher-certified by the Kosher Services of America.
Contents |
[edit] History
Located in Hood River, Oregon, Turtle Island Foods began in 1980 with intentions of providing "meatless food products that are delicious, nutritious, convenient and affordable."[1] It was founded by Seth Tibbot, who began by producing tempeh for friends and family and with their help eventually expanded his company to what is now the second largest tempeh producer in the United States. The famous Tofurky was only developed in 1995.
Turtle Island Foods has no parent company.[2]
[edit] Company Name
The company name is derived from a common legend found amongst the native people of North America. Once, when all of earth was underwater, a turtle offered its shell as a home for land animals, and that shell became North America. As a result several Native American and First Nations tribes refer to the continent as "Turtle Island".
[edit] Ecological Responsibility
[edit] Genetically Engineered Ingredients
Since 1995, when Turtle Island Foods took an official stand against GMOs, they have made "every effort possible" to avoid them.[3]
[edit] Organics
Much of what the company produces is organic, and Turtle Island Foods is actually an "Organic Processor", certified by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic.
[edit] Hexane
The company completely eschews products made from hexane extraction, choosing instead expeller pressed isolates and concentrates.
[edit] Recycling
In 2005, Turtle Island Foods began to purchase all of its electricity from the Blue Sky renewable energy project of the northwestern United States. All paperboard packaging is recycled. In addition, a certain percentage of each year's Tofurky sales is donated to an environmental charity.
[edit] Products
Turtle Island Foods currently produces the following, many in a number of varieties:
- Tofurky Roast
- Tofurky Deli Slices
- Tofurky Sausages
- Tofurky Franks
- Tofurky Jurky
- Tofurky "Giblet" Gravy
- Tofurky Wild Rice and Mushroom Stuffing
- Superburgers
- Tempeh
- Cranberry Apple Potato Dumplings
