Amid increasing consumer demand for organic and lean protein choices, Foster Farms introduced Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey, available now at retailers and Costco locations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. The new product comes on the heels of the launch of Foster Farms organic fresh chicken. Foster Farms is now the largest producer of organic ground turkey in the Western United States.

Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey is USDA-certified organic, antibiotic free, raised free-range on organic land and is fed an organic vegetarian diet. As with all Foster Farms products, Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey is 100 percent natural with no added hormones, steroids, salt, chemicals or artificial enhancers. The product comes in one-pound packages. In the coming months, the company has plans to introduce additional organic turkey products including Foster Farms Organic Whole Turkeys, which will be in California Costco stores in time for Thanksgiving.

"Foster Farms is committed to producing premium turkey products that provide consumers a variety of high-quality, lean protein options," said TJ Johnson, director of marketing for Foster Farms turkey. "We are seeing more consumers using ground turkey as a substitute in recipes to make them leaner and lighter. In line with this trend, the next logical step for Foster Farms was to add an organic option."

Ground turkey sales on the West Coast are up 11 percent from 2014, and organic ground turkey sales are up 76 percent, according to IRI market research. As the demand for organic foods continues to grow, Foster Farms is expanding its offerings to provide consumers a range of options to meet their preferences.

Foster Farms was founded as a backyard turkey ranch in 1939 and has since been producing whole turkeys for West Coast consumers. In 1993, it expanded this production to include a complete line of fresh turkey products ranging from turkey tenderloins to ground turkey. Turkey represents a growing portion of the company's overall business.