Despite eating as often as three meals a day, somehow we’ve become disconnected from exactly what it is that we’re eating.

Case in point: a suprising new study out of the UK showed young adults are even more misinformed about their food than we thought. The survey revealed that more than a third did not know bacon comes from pigs or that eggs come from hens. In fact, 11% thought eggs were made from wheat or corn and only 40% knew that butter comes from a dairy cow, and 40% failed to associate milk with an image of a cow—7% actually linked it to wheat.

What if someone told you that you could eat meat without harming animals? We don’t mean plant-based meats, though developments there are exciting, too. We mean meat from animals—but it’s grown in a laboratory and without the need to raise and slaughter conscious animals. Sounds like weird science?

It may be, but in vitro meat is also one of the most interesting approaches to addressing the animal welfare, environmental, and public health issues associated with industrial animal agriculture.

When trying to escape the big city for a more natural setting, travelers usually seek breathtaking views and fresh air. Unfortunately and suprisingly, that desire for fresh air disqualifies one of California’s most famous destinations: Sequoia National Park.

It’s not just the temperatures that are hot in DC. Our outreach team has been sizzling! In the last few weeks, COK’s dedicated volunteers and interns hit the streets giving away over 800 food samples and over 3,000 pieces of pro-veg

On July 21, our Los Angeles office hosted the Summer Soiree by the Sea  in Hermosa Beach to celebrate our many successes so far this year, and to raise funds to support our groundbreaking corporate campaigns and other efforts creating meaningful and lasting changes for farmed animals.

This fall semester, I’ll be teaching Animals in Agriculture and the Law, (open to advanced students, 2Ls and 3Ls) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – School of Law. 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an agency notorious for its unabashed promotion of animal agribusiness and animal-based foods. As noted by the Associated Press: “The USDA often promotes the beef industry by encouraging Americans to eat meat.”

This week, however, the USDA got caught in the line of fire from, of all groups, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA). Why? Because it (the USDA) touted the benefits of meat-free foods.

While it’s political animals that DC is known for, it’s the animals being left off of Washingtonian’s plates that prompted Living Social to rank the nation’s capital as the “Top Vegetarian US City.” The survey, conducted last year, reveals that DC diners have the highest preference for vegetarian and vegan fare in the US—so it’s no wonder that more restaurants are adding delicious meat-free meals to their menus.

Just how many restaurants?

We’re halfway through 2012 and it’s been a
tremendous year so far for COK – and for animals. Together, with your generous support, we’re
making incredible strides, and we’re thrilled to share some highlights from our
work during the past six months: