Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 5/4/15


Kelly Turkeys USA, the newly established U.S. arm of the British heritage turkey producer and processor, will locate its specialty poultry production and processing facility in Albemarle County, Va., that commonwealth’s governor announced.

According to a news release on the governor’s website, Kelly Turkeys will invest $1.4 million in a new facility, create 33 new jobs and grow production to 10,000 turkeys annually, over three years.

The commonwealth is partnering with Albemarle County and Kelly Turkeys USA on the project through the governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund. Gov. McAuliffe approved a $29,000 grant from the AFID Fund to assist with the project, and Albemarle County will provide a $29,000 cash match.  

Founded in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, Kelly Turkeys U.K. is known for its unique KellyBronze breed of turkeys. The company product has been voted the best turkey in the United Kingdom for eight consecutive years. Kelly Turkeys USA will bring the same brand and production methods to Virginia, establishing the company’s first United States facility using only Virginia-grown turkeys.

“The artisan quality of the KellyBronze Turkey fits in perfectly with the local food movement that is so strong in this area,” said Judd Culver, owner of Kelly Turkeys USA, in the release.

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