The Associated Press : Small Bites of Holiday Fare for Cooks and Diners

The Humane Society of the United States says it hopes consumers buying turkeys for Thanksgiving will look for the “Certified Humane” label on the birds that was launched earlier this year.

The program, HSUS says, ensures that farmers are adhering to stringent standards for raising and handling animals humanely. The program is administered by Humane Animal Care, an independent nonprofit organization that has backing from the HSUS and other humane organizations.

If Certified Humane products are not available, HSUS recommends consumers to consider buying birds labeled organic or free range, or to choose one of the non-meat alternatives to traditional poultry.