Families are being encouraged to buy British, buy local and buy a whole turkey this Christmas to get the best value for their money.

Today is the NFU’s Buy my Turkey Day (Friday 17 November), and turkey producers across the country are taking to social media to show off their farm fresh turkeys and urge the public to consider buying from their local producer, using the NFU’s online Turkey Finder.

NFU turkey group chair Jonathan Smith said: “Even though it’s only November, turkey producers across England and Wales have been busy rearing and caring for their birds and preparing for the festive season.

“Turkey is a fantastic choice for your Christmas dinner, providing a delicious and nutritious meal to share with the whole family. By buying a British turkey directly from the farm where it has been produced, you will be backing British farming, helping a local business, and providing a boost for the rural economy.

“We know that everyone is being affected by the cost of living crisis, which is why we are encouraging shoppers to buy a whole bird as it represents the best value for money. The versatility of turkey meat means that once you’ve enjoyed your Christmas dinner, there are plenty of healthy, tasty dishes you can try with any leftovers to make sure all the fantastic meat is put to good use.

“Shoppers can use the NFU Turkey Finder to quickly locate their nearest producer and buy a turkey direct from the farm where it was reared. If you’re buying a turkey from your local butcher, ask them if it’s British and which farm it’s been sourced from. If you’re buying from the supermarket, make sure to look for the Red Tractor logo and the Union flag to ensure you’re getting a great tasting British bird for Christmas, reared to some of the highest standards.”