Im not boycotting Whole Foods. Recently Ive received several requests to boycott Whole Foods as a result of their new advertising campaign that touts values matter and equates having values with treating animals more humanely before theyre killed for food. Although I appreciate their work on recycling and fair trade, organic, and non-GMO food, I agree the ads that suggest that people should know how their food lived is preposterous. The animals in the ad photos should not be food so the ad campaign is dead on on arrival. The people in those ads should be holding beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. We agree that killing animals, regardless of how theyre treated, is not a value worth extolling since we have no right to end an animals life. Abandoning gestation crates or battery cages may create a more humane life for an animal but it is not grounds for companies who sell animals to celebrate themselves as models of compassion. If people boycott Whole Foods, however, they will shop for food at other stores like Walmart and Target where animal welfare standards are even more dismal and where there are fewer plant-based options. Thus, we should work with companies like Whole Foods to encourage them to offer more plant-based options and to engage their customers in a discussion about the economic, environmental, health, and animal welfare benefits of ditching animal flesh. If we boycott Whole Foods, it will decrease demand for plant-based food. Our first instinct should not always be to boycott when something goes awry. Lets think in terms of encouraging people whose views are not fully aligned with ours to embrace reforms. For example, I wrote to Whole Foods and politely stated I oppose their new ad campaign which does not ring true for the animals and asked them to consider a more genuine approach. I also praised so much of their work that makes the world a more humane place. Whole Foods provides many valuable functions: 1) They support local and plant-based food companies. 2) They participate in community outreach efforts to benefit animals. 3) They agree to host events like my Vegan Block Party to provide plant-based food and product samples to customers. 4) They carry a wide variety of plant-based food allowing customers to introduce others to these products. 5) Many vegetarians work at Whole Foods and promote plant-based food as employees. 6) The Whole Kids Foundation provides money to help children plant vegetable gardens at schools, create salad bars in school cafeterias, and much more. Full disclosure: I do not own stock in Whole Foods and I have never been nor am I currently employed by WF. Not everybody is going to see the wisdom in our revelation that all animals are here with us, not for us. We must also consider that many people view our apathy towards their causes the same way we view their inaction for animals. For example, I support Nothing But Nets, an organization that provides malaria nets to protect children from dying in Africa. Ive spoken with NBN supporters who dont understand how so many people could not donate just $10 to this cause which so easily saves lives and has been ranked among the most efficient and trustworthy non-profit organizations. Examples of people doing good in the world are plentiful and they wonder as we do why more people dont get involved. Before we judge others, we should first ask ourselves: If I care so much about animals, am I doing everything I can to help them? This question will rub some people the wrong way because it requires a self-examination that may cause us to look at ourselves as much as others but I know many people who bemoan the way people treat animals and yet they dont donate money to support organizations that rescue or advocate for them and they dont volunteer their time in the community to help them. Our sense of urgency for any cause should be reflected in our actions. As we say that people dont love animals if they eat them, wear them, and pay to see them exploited, it also holds true that how much we care as advocates is reflected in our actions. Many people who proclaim to be diehard advocates for animals spend a massive amount of time and money in other ways -- partying, going on vacations, shopping at the mall, attending concerts, buying fancy cars, and so on. It is everyones prerogative how they spend their time and money but if not significantly directed towards the cause, do they stand on firm ground criticizing others? Upon scrutiny, its likely we can all do much more to help. If were not doing all we can do, we have less credibility insisting that others do more. After all, simply because someone eats animals doesnt mean theyre not doing anything for animals. Maybe they recycle, boycott SeaWorld, buy cruelty-free household products, and refuse to buy fur. Thats a start worthy of praise. My wish for this movement -- for the animals, peoples health, and our planet -- is that we have an infusion of humility, kindness and patience in our advocacy that mirrors what we wish to see in others, more results-driven action, and leadership that inspires the world to follow our lead.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 00:39:07 +0000
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