When Upon Sinclair wrote The Jungle in
1906, readers were exposed to the horrible abuse of those who worked in the
meat-packing industry. The book changed how the country thought about food
safety and sparked considerable shifts in inspections and labor practices,
shaping laws for the last century. Now, it seems that we’re increasingly turning
our attention to the other major component of the industry: the animals
themselves.
Now,
it seems that we’re increasingly turning our attention to the other major
component of the industry: the animals themselves.
Despite the shock-and-awe campaigns of
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (which usually use mostly naked
women to encourage vegetarianism), ours is a country rife with meat eaters.
Health pronouncements about eating less red meat have had some effect, and
“meatless Monday” is catching on in many areas, but on the whole, the United
States is a paradise for omnivores.
Health
pronouncements about eating less red meat have had some effect, and “meatless
Monday” is catching on in many areas, but on the whole, the United States is a
paradise for omnivores.
But can you eat meat and still maintain a
sense of spiritual health and physical well-being? Those who encourage mindful
eating believe it can be done. By treating animals with respect and raising
them on diets that are fundamental to their health – letting cows graze on
grass, for example – we can improve further upon the efforts of Sinclair.
Reducing the number of factory farms (with
their complete elimination as an eventual goal) is a major step in this
direction. Recently, McDonald’s Corporation announced it would work toward
phasing out gestation stalls for pregnant sows, a move that surprised many food
activists and sparked some hope that bid business would align with advocates
for a more sustainable food system – similar to when Walmart started carrying
organic produce. Bon Appétit Management Company, which operates over 400 cafés
for corporations, universities, and museums, also announced this year that they
are rolling out a comprehensive farm animal welfare policy.
Reducing
the number of factory farms (with their complete elimination as an eventual
goal) is a major step in this direction.
In all likelihood, more companies will make
similar moves, and forward-thinking ranchers and farmers are beginning to sign
up for certification programs, like Certified Humane and Animal Welfare
Approved, which assure consumers of more humane practices.
In general, though, the mindful meat
movement will rely on individual eaters who demand to know about the origin of
what they’re eating. It’s akin to the local food revolution, which rallies
eaters to “know your farmer”. Sales of organic meat increased more than 150 percent
from 2002 to 2009, and the growth continues. Young butchers like those at
Dickson’s Farmstand Meats in New York City are touting their relationships to
the farms where they source their meat. Restaurants are including farm names on
menus, along with descriptions of how the animals were raised.
All of these changes are vital for
increasing awareness and forging a connection to harmers and ranchers who make
the effort to raise their animals with respect. For many who continue to eat
meat, tapping into this movement can be a powerful way to stay out of The
Jungle.
