Now that we are back in action here at Currant Table, it feels good to have a forum in which we can highlight the positive changes (Prop 37 on this fall’s ballot) and call into questions those that set us back. In the case of the recent scuffle between the USDA and the NBCA (National Cattleman’s Beef Association) . . . . set us WAY BACK.
In quick summary, at the end of July, the USDA announced that they were in support of ‘Meatless Monday’s’, a movement that strives to improve the health of Americans and the environment by cutting meat out of our diets for one day a week. May I note here that there are still 6 MORE days in the week where a participant could subsist entirely on meat if they so choose? In response, the president of the NBCA, J.D. Alexander, released a statement accusing the USDA of not supporting the beef industry, and calling Meatless Mondays ‘an animal rights extremist campaign to ultimately end meat consumption.’ He also claimed “This is truly an awakening statement by USDA, which strongly indicates that USDA does not understand the efforts being made in rural America to produce food and fiber for a growing global population in a very sustainable way,”
If you just laughed out loud . . . don’t worry, so did I. There is NOTHING sustainable about the way we farm beef industrially in the United Sates. And, call me crazy, but announcing that you ‘support’ Meatless Monday, does not in fact mean that you hate meat, or believe that people should stop consuming it. I understand the perceived conflict of interest on the part of the NBCA, however, could it not also be seen as the USDA supporting the one other facets of industrial agriculture for one day? ‘Support Tomato Farmer Mondays!’
I could go back and forth, and come up with my own snarky unfounded assertions to match those of Alexander, but I won’t. As annoyed as I was by the official NBCA statement, they do have a right to a government who protects their interests as much as the next person.
However, we kick this confrontation up a notch when those in DC get involved, and call for the over consumption of meat on the following Monday. The two following tweets are from Senator Chuck Grassley (Iowa) and Congressman Steve King (Iowa).
Grassley’s office, with a handful of other co-conspirators then went so far as to call for a celebration of Meat Mondays.
This photo was posted to the facebook page of junior senator John Cornyn, and depicts the lunch purchased from a local BBQ restaurant in DC. A staffer said that the lunch included a total of 52 orders of barbecue beef sandwiches, brisket, sausage and ribs, as well as sides of cornbread and macaroni and cheese. Do you all remember those annoying boys in middle school who, when faced with someone else’s effort to, say ‘Save the Whales’ would wear an ‘I hate Whales’ t-shirt? I do, and it is even more obnoxious when adult men engage in the same behavior, and order more meat than an entire office could consume (WASTEFUL) just to make a rather asinine point.
From a food standpoint, since that is what we, here at Currant Table are all about, Meatless Mondays provide a day for American’s to think outside the box of ‘meat/vegetable/carb’ dinners, and get creative while improving their health and the health of the environment. It SHOULD be supported by government offices, because the government is supposed to have our best interests at heart (right?). I personally know sustainable meat farmers (poultry, beef, pork etc . . .) who engage in Meatless Mondays themselves, without having their entire business crash down around their ears. So it begs the question, what is the NBCA so concerned about? It can’t possibly be that one day a week a fraction of Americans choose not to eat any type of meat (again, 6 more days in the week) so it must be something else.
Could it be that they are starting to feel the squeeze, albeit just a pinch at this point, caused by those of us fighting the fight in the name of accurate information? We stated in an earlier post, that there is a LOT of it flying around, and that sometimes it is tough to make heads or tails of what you are reading. But in this case it is fairly straightforward:
-Meatless Monday’s are intended to improve the heart health of Americans and help stave off the obesity epidemic.
-Meatless Monday’s are intended to reduce the carbon footprint of an individual, reduce water usage and reduce fossil fuel usage.
-Meatless Monday’s are not intended to turn everyone into vegetarians.
-The NBCA is afraid of Meatless Mondays
In response to the negative outpouring of statements, and actions, only a fraction of which I have mentioned, the USDA recanted their endorsement of Meatless Mondays. This is yet another example of the uphill battle that those of us who believe that we deserve better food are facing. I know how we at Current Table feel about this, but how do you all feel?
We endorse Meatless Mondays, and encourage all of you reading to visit their site for delicious menu ideas, and information about how you can promote it in your community!
You heard me . . . . Currant Table supports Meatless Mondays! Come and get us NBCA 🙂
Meatless Monday: http://www.meatlessmonday.com
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