For Kauffman, it's quality, not quantity. Getting there is a relaxing, peaceful ride through small towns and lush farm land. And though it can tout the title of the largest turkey farm in Illinois with about 80,000 turkeys grown a year, it is small compared to larger contract companies like Carolina Turkeys in North Carolina, which produces almost 80,000 turkeys per day and millions per year. The farm currently supplies Chicago area Whole Foods with boneless turkey meat, but has no plans to go national. But Ho-Ka whole turkeys, are not usually sold in supermarkets.
Large stores sell large volumes at lower prices and look to the big brand names as their suppliers.
Independent meat markets are where Kauffman sells his turkeys, because they want to give their customers high quality meat and personalized service. A person that will buy a cheap turkey at a big chain is not my customer. According to Kauffman, the most important factor in the turkey business is a market. There is no substitute for goodwill and word of mouth. My father started a strong customer base and today I still see my father's customers coming back.