I learned that free-range and cage-free is a lie

by Melissa
(Atlanta, GA)

He's a snuggler!

Up until the end of 2009 I was fat, dumb, and happy thinking the organic milk and "cage-free" and "free-range" eggs I was spending a small fortune on, was actually elevating me from the rest of the meat and dairy eating population. And then I happened across a documentary about commercial farming in America. I had no idea what was happening in these places, even the ones that tout their farms are free-range and cage-free. At that time I honestly thought cage-free and free-range were farms where chickens and cows roam freely across acres and acres of lush, green, rolling hilled farms and were able to do all the things that cows and chickens naturally do.

Just some brief history - my grandmother had a small farm where there really was acres of green farmland where the animals did roam freely and I would get up with her in the summertime and gather eggs and milk the cow. So as I got older, I simply envisioned commercial farms as a larger scaled version of my grandmother's farm. I can't believe I was so naive.

There have been a few things I have always been morally opposed to and have NEVER eaten was veal and lamb. And about 10 years ago I added pork to that list. My consumption of beef had been slowing down substantially and I was primary on a diet of chicken/eggs and fish. So my meat eating habits have been progressively dwindling over the years.

So my ultimate turning point had specifically to do with chickens. Once I found out about beak trimming and how it kept them from being able to peck, it was literally an instantaneous decision. I completely converted at that very moment. I physically could not allow myself to contribute to the absolute macabre treatment of these helpless animals. I gathered up all the food in my house that contained any animal product and took it to my parents house. And that was it. I haven't looked back. And honestly, I have been pleasantly surprised at all the things I can eat. I thought I would have to give up chocolate cake. But I have found fabulous recipes for chocolate cake and even brownies! Who knew? I feel fantastic about this decision.