Since its humble beginnings in 1985, Meatout has gained support and has grown into the world’s largest grassroots diet awareness campaign. Today, Meatout marks a quarter century of encouraging people to make different dietary choices, ones the event organizers say are better for our health and for the planet.
And of course, those of us who remain at least part time carnivores and who enjoy eating meat from time to time have all heard and have probably even passed along the joke: If we weren‘t intended to eat animals, then why are they made out of meat? While Meatout supports the position that sustaining a diet based on fruits, vegetables and grains is healthier and better for the planet, they don’t expect everyone to just walk away from their burgers, chops and steaks once and for all. But they do want everyone to consider at least giving it a whirl for a day.
Organized by FARM, a Washington D.C.-based animal rights organization, Meatout has been staged annually “to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection alternatives to meat and dairy.” And to help encourage the curious and eager to take even small, incremental steps toward dietary change, the organization sponsors Meatout Mondays during the rest of the year. Through a weekly newsletter, Meatout Mondays encourages us to adopt a one-day-per-week diet that is completely meat free.
Perhaps the one weekly meatless day is plenty for most who try it, while others may find themselves warming up to going all veggie on a consistent basis. Either way, hats off (and hams off) to FARM for marking the 25th year of their Meatout outreach initiative.
Photo by Foodies via Flickr.