Currently in the US, more than 250 million egg-laying hens are suffering inside tiny wire cages so small, they’re denied the ability to engage in some of their most natural behaviors, including walking. With virtually no laws to protect them, these smart and social animals are subjected to some of the worst abuses imaginable and are routinely treated in ways that would result in criminal prosecution if those same abuses were inflicted upon cats or dogs. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to expose the rotten truth of egg production and promote compassionate food choices.
The Dish: Veggie Foods the Real Stars in the City of Angels
Forget the map of celebrities’ houses. The guide that everyone really wants is the 2012 edition of our Vegetarian Guide to Los Angeles!
Exercise your Right to Know and Educate Others on the Realities of Factory Farms
Last month, we told you about the unfortunate return of so-called “ag gag” bills in several states; these are bills which aim to criminalize whistleblowing exposés of the cruel realities of factory farming. In other words, agribusiness interests are trying to shut down undercover investigations in an effort to prevent Americans from finding out what really goes on behind the closed doors of the meat, milk, and egg industries.
Egg Consumption Is Declining: Industry News
Here’s some encouraging news from the egg industry with a sunny side for hens: per capita egg consumption in the US has been steadily declining for the past six years!
That’s according to a recent Egg Industry Fact Sheet posted on the United Egg Producers’ website, which is based on statistics from the US Department of Agriculture. As highlighted in the graph below, in 2006 the average American ate 258.1 eggs while the estimate for 2011 drops down to 246.3 — that’s nearly one dozen fewer eggs per person.
Update: Whole Foods Severs Ties with CA Chicken Hatchery Exposed by COK
Last week, COK — represented by the Animal Legal Defense Fund — filed a lawsuit against the California-based Cal-Cruz Hatcheries for unlawful business practices relating to undercover COK video footage documenting shockingly cruel conditions forced upon newly-hatched chicks. The complaint aims to stop the ongoing abuse of baby birds at this facility which hatches chicks destined to be slaughtered for their meat.
COK Reaches Thousands at the NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo
For two days straight, COK’s booth at the popular NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo was non-stop busy with people eager to give vegetarian eating a try. Many said they’ve already started to reduce their meat consumption and others asked us how to get started. Their comments confirm what the US Dept. of Agriculture states in a recent report: Americans are eating less and less meatAttendees were voracious for more information on vegetarian eating, and our stellar team of over a dozen volunteers shared personal stories, meal ideas, tips, free food samples, video clips of factory farming, and of course lots of printed materials.
“Compassion Club” Debuts at Los Angeles Something Healthy
In 2011, we announced that after working with Compassion Over Killing (COK), the Canadian-based quick-service sandwich chain, Pita Pit, added a new vegan black bean patty to its menus in over 100 locations throughout the US. We also successfully worked with the UK-based Quorn, the world’s number one brand of meat-free alternatives, to launch its first-ever, all-vegan product.
State “Ag Gag” Bills Aim to Criminalize the Exposure of Factory Farm Cruelties
Last year, you may recall that four states–Florida, Iowa, Minnesota and New York– introduced so-called “ag gag” bills aimed at shutting down the efforts of animal protection organizations to go undercover to investigate factory farms and document the miserable conditions forced upon billions of farmed animals. While these state bills varied in content and scope, they were all supported by animal agribusiness and the mission was clear: keep animal cruelty hidden from public view by criminalizing the filming or photographing of an agricultural facility without the owner’s express consent.
Resolutions Faltering? Dr. Greger to the Rescue!
Admit it. You’re only days into the new year and those resolutions about eating healthier, becoming a star athlete/vegan bodybuilder, and eating three pounds of dark, leafy greens a day are already starting to crumble. Maybe you bought membership to a gym you hope to someday visit, or maybe you shelled out for that Vitamix still safely tucked away in its box. Your goal of making a leaner, meaner, and greener self is already losing steam—you need help.
