While the May 31 article “If you eat chicken, expect to pay more for it: Here’s why” is factually accurate, it offers no solution, when in fact there are several alternatives. The plant-based food industry is booming, with chicken substitutes available in virtually every major grocery store these days by different companies with different recipes. Not only is plant-based chicken becoming the cheaper option, it’s also a more environmentally sustainable, healthy and humane option. Animals, particularly chickens, suffer immensely on factory farms, living in dark, feces- and urine-filled warehouses before being slaughtered by live shackle, sometimes fully conscious.
Studies suggest that avoiding animal products and adopting more plant-based foods can lower your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease as well as Type 2 diabetes. And by choosing a plant-based alternative to an animal product, you’ll be helping the planet. According to United Nations experts, adopting a plant-based diet can help fight climate change. Plant-based meat substitute sales grew 43% over the past two years because they address multiple concerns: our health, the environment and the recognition that factory farms create suffering most of us don’t want to see, much less be responsible for. So, if the price of chicken causes you pause, check out the meatless section of your grocery store next time you go.
Shera Felde, Sisters