I know this blog is usually full of fun and frolics... but Hugh’s Chicken Run has incited me to action. The food industry is complicated and perverse; I should know, analysing it is my bread and butter. I agree wholeheartedly with Hugh, we should all try to buy free range. Making food go a little father and respecting the fact something had to die to feed us, should be second nature. And making sure that creature had a good life, well that’s just human.
However, there was one point that I felt was missing from the program. Retailers just want to make money and they are as happy making their profit from free range meat as they are from standard products. If the demand from consumers is there, retailers’ shelves will mirror it. If Tesco with their 1000+ stores saw uplift in demand for free-range meat, it would fundamentally change the way meat is farmed for us to eat.
We have the power to change it. Consumer power!!!
Sign up here: http://www.chickenout.tv/
In less serious news...
I was very excited to see that q.d.patooties is going to have an Easter parade! How cool. All the details are here on her blog: http://qdpatooties.blogspot.com/2008/01/1st-annual-softie-easter-parade.html
I also got two most exciting packages in the mail!
Thank you so much Vanessa and Comfits!!! I am truely spoilt. Vanessa, you should recognise lots of the darling craft bits you sent me, in posts to come.
The little snowball with the stocking cap is absolutely adorable.
I found your site a few months ago and I check in every once in awhile to see what you have going on. I love looking at the great things you make. They make me smile.
Posted by: Terri | January 10, 2008 at 07:34 PM
I signed my support for Chicken Out after seeing the programme, but I've always avoided battery chicken anyway. If nothing else, it LOOKS pasty and unsavoury.
Agree that he didn't make more of the supply and demand issue. It might have cut more ice with those who complain about the cost. Personally, I find organic chicken way too expensive, but if free range is in the shop, I'll buy it. If it isn't, I won't buy the hideous alternative. And we eat too much meat anyway - a veggie day or a fish day is also a good option.
GAH! I should be talking about fluffy toys!
Posted by: MoominMama | January 10, 2008 at 08:09 PM
I made a similar observation as Moominmama at another blog yesterday; when I was a kid we couldn't afford meat on a regular basis, so my mum made what we could afford go further, and we had alternatives such as soya mince and veggie meals. We don't need to eat meat every day, and we shouldn't expect it as our right if it means we have to condemn any living thing to such dreadful lives.
love your manta ray, by the way!
Posted by: Knit Nurse | January 11, 2008 at 01:23 PM
I'm glad to read your blog and the comments made here by others. I live as much as I can off the grid. My daughter gave me a book 'The Animal Contract' by Desmond morris. It is a good read as it follows what you wrote about and gets further into the subject. I wish everyone a healthy new year!
Posted by: monika | January 12, 2008 at 01:27 AM
I was pleasantly surprised on doing my weekly shop today to find the shelves virtually empty of free range and organic chicken, and fully stocked with battery - it wrecked my plans for dinner, but it seems Hugh's message is getting through!
Posted by: dottycookie | January 19, 2008 at 10:20 PM
eep! hello! it's me, comfits! i didn't realize you also had a typepad. i added you to my list cuz i just loves your stuffs :]
i was excited to find the pattern for that froggie, too. ooo! i'm so happy! i hope i will find time to make him soon. and the pom! he's so adorable. i got to see my pom a few weekends ago. he's so sweet. his name is jinkies & he lives at my in-laws now.
okie dokie. just wanted to pop over and say howdy ;]
Posted by: donielle | February 01, 2008 at 05:40 PM