“We are honored to welcome the Willie Bird Turkeys brand into our family and into the homes of American meat lovers across the country,” shared Heidi Diestel, turkey farmer, in a press release. “As long-time family friends, we look forward to keeping Willie’s legacy and independent spirit alive by offering delicious holiday and year-round products, just as Willie did."
Related: Powering up the Protein Market Sustainable Business: Serving a Worthy Purpose Diestel Family Ranch Launches Campaign Around “Often Debated” Word, Refreshes Brand
Willie Benedetti, a fourth-generation rancher, began Willie Bird Turkeys in 1963 at the age of 14-years old. In his first year, Willie hatched nearly 500 turkeys and raised them for sale as part of a Future Farmers of America (FFA) project. Today, Willie’s products are featured on the main menu of first class hotels, restaurants, deli’s, and airlines, as well as through Williams Sonoma and independent natural and organic grocers in California."Here at Diestel, we are turning on the smokers and raising a glass to the man who represented independent family farming at its finest," said Diestel. "Cheers to you, Willie!"
