Thanksgiving Turkeys

[Sanjay Jain]

Hello Neighbors,

Thanksgiving is almost here and people are thinking about turkeys. When to buy it? How big it should be? How to cook it etc. There is one more thing to think about though, how was it produced?

Most turkeys are now raised in "Factory Farms". If anyone is buying a turkey this year, please consider if a turkey from a factory farm meets one's values, and is it appropriate to be celebrating Thanksgiving with such a purchase.

Factory Farms:

- Major contributor to Global Climate Change Gas Emissions

- Pollute land and water bodies. Poultry farms are a big problem for the Chesapeake

- Breeding grounds for new anti-biotic resistant strains of super-infectious germs

- Employ illegal immigrants
- Violate even the low levels of health and safety regulations for farm workers
- Torture animals
- Promote Monoculture

While groups are working to address these issues, individuals can help by making ethical consumer choices. Visit the producers' websites and find out if their turkeys are organic, free range, local and humanely raised.

People might find the following links interesting:

http://www.wholefoo dsmarket. com/products/ 5step.php

http://www.organicv alley.coop/ why-organic/ humane-treatment /

http://well. blogs.nytimes. com/tag/vegetari an-thanksgiving/

Happy Thanksgiving
Sanjay Jain