If you haven't already heard,
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has started a campaign to raise public awareness of the horrific conditions under which cheap chicken meat is produced - and hopefully make people think twice before supporting the barbarism with their purchasing choices. It's called 'Chicken Out' and you can get further info and sign up to the campaign via the link to the website displayed further down on the right hand side of my blog.
I have signed up, and also made a belated New Year's Resolution to only buy and eat free-range chicken from now on. Until now I've bought it infrequently, partly due to the hassle of sourcing it, and partly due to the extra cost. I've now decided I'd rather eat chicken less frequently, but with a clear conscience.
On behalf of chickens the world over, Blanche, Blodwen, Bronwen, Bella and I thank you for your time!
I saw the first program last night and I'm sure as the chicks grow those sheds are going to look terrible.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky to be able to get organic free range chicken here but it is very expensive. We are now only eating meat about three times a week to compensate for the increased cost of organic meat. I've slipped the vegetarian meals in gradually and amazingly in a household with three males - nobody seems to have noticed. Shhhh!
it makes me cry when I see how chickens are treated on chicken farms. it is just dreadful.
ReplyDeleteI have been buying organic or free range chicken meat for a few years now.. I would love to be vegetarian.. maybe oneday.. I actually don't eat alot of meat anyhow
For the past couple of years I have slowly been weaning my family off meat. They truly don't really notice if you don't tell them. Well, to be honest...if I cut them off all together, I'm sure I'd get some flack.We have it about three times a week too.Free range meat here is becoming more readily available, and more affordable...so we can go this route a little easier when we do eat it.
ReplyDeleteI would love us to be vegetarian too...
Our lovely butcher only supplies free range chickens. They are fatter and cheaper than the supermarket ones.
ReplyDeleteWe are eating far less meat now and my Alpha carnivore partner is loving it!
I have a special spot in my heart for chickens and that is why I can't eat them. I applaud you for this resolution. There is nothing worse than animal cruelty.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great campaign and with names like HFW and Jamie Oliver supporting it hopefully it will make a real difference. There's been a good deal in the papers which may reach more people than the actual programme. I have only bought organic chicken for many years now because of the conditions that most of the rest are kept in. These practices should never have been allowed in the first place.
ReplyDeleteChickens, cattle, lambs, ducks ... even vegetables ... when produced via "agribusiness" ... are stripped of their souls. The treatment of ducks, in particular, really makes me angry.
ReplyDeleteI don't find any commercially produced food nutritious and yet I eat it when i'm in restaurants and at other people's homes having dinner.
But I try not to. As for spending money for high quality food, I think it's well worth it. Can't buy as many books, or go out as much as possible, but it's OK. High quality food makes me a better person.
Thanks for this!
We haven't seen any of the programmes but hopefully this will have the same kind of impact as the school diners programme
ReplyDeleteFrom your comments, it's interesting how many people are already eating 'ethically' or cutting back on meat. Obviously food and how it's produced is becoming a big issue for many many people.
ReplyDeleteTo my amazement, T has happily agreed to the 'free range meat only and let's cut back our meat consumption too'. And we haven't even watched the programmes!! Maybe it's that hundredth monkey thing making its way into our consciousness about how our food is produced...
We haven't eaten cut price chicken since we saw the last series,we prefer the taste of free range chicken and eggs,but we have even cut back on these, we class chicken as a treat now!We don't have lamb or pork,just occasionally a bit of beef,I do use quorn now and again!Treating animals and birds in this barbaric way has to stop!Kathyann and the girls
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