turkey dilemma

how many of you had turkey at thanksgiving this year with your main meal?
i did too, but i was banned from buying it.
why, you might ask?
i know stuff.  about food and food systems.
so, as the thanksgiving hostess this year, i signed up to procure the bird.
what i didn't realize is how weighty that decision would seem this year.
i don't remember this being such an overwhelming choice the last time we hosted, about 3 years ago.
but i asked myself:
where did this bird come from?  what did it eat?
who took care of it?  how were they paid?
and those are just a few of the questions.
i thought i'd get a trader joe's turkey.
i considered getting a turkey from safeway -- they had free range turkeys that weren't lamborghini prices, but certainly weren't free if you buy $xxx of food there.
if i used my annual discount at the co-op, i could get one for about the safeway price.  and i hadn't used my discount yet.  and i could pick up a few stocking stuffers too.
but in our family, we try to do everything we can not to spend a lot of money.  and the best type would cost a lot unless it was insanely small.  and we wanted to have enough food to feed our guests.
but cost of the bird minus cost of supporting a broken or just food system.
there are hidden costs we pay for to get the $.59/lb turkey for our meal.

anyway, the decision was made.  the decision for which turkey to buy would be taken off my plate this year.  i wouldn't have to decide.  i'd only have to give a range for how many pounds, give or take.
anyway, i hope your turkey was good.  and i hope the people who took care of that turkey were paid well (and even had at least thanksgiving and maybe a few other days off to be with family).  and i hope that the crazy in my head that led to a turkey buying ban is food for thought for you.
and i'd love to talk more if you're interested in discussing this, or any other food or social justice issue.
peace to you!