Five Ways to Have a More Humane Holiday Meal

30,000 Chickens in a Purdue Factory "Farm"
30,000 Chickens in a Purdue Factory “Farm”

Horrific. Appalling. Shocking. Abominable. Heinous. Cruel. Disgusting.

Reprehensible.

All of those words come to mind when I think of modern chicken production (it’s no longer reasonable to call it “farming”).

It’s bad for the animals, it’s bad for the planet, and it’s bad for us, too. “You are what you eat” comes to mind.

Our supermarkets, with their sterile, plastic-wrapped packages of pre-butchered meat do an effective job of shielding us from the reality of where our food comes from. Most people have no idea justย how awful the living conditions are for most of the animals that are raised for meat.

The image above is from the following video, created by Compassion in World Farming. There are some graphic and heartbreaking images in here, but it’s important not to shy away from this. I encourage you to take a deep breath, watch, and then read on:

Now, I’m not about to tell you to stop eating meat. But I am going to askย you to take action to help ensure that the animals you are eating are not subjected to the cruelty like what is shown in that video.

I met up with Olivia from the ASPCAย at a conference earlier this year, and I was thrilled to learn aboutย their Truth About Chickenย campaign. They’re working to educate people about where their meat comes from, and, better yet, empowering folks to help bring about change. Olivia recently sent me a list of some things you can do to help ensure that the lives of the chickens we eat will get better, and I’m happy to share them with you today.

So read on, take action… and then enter the giveaway below!

1. Get Certified

The seemingly well-meaningย marketing terms on the front of packages may sound great, but they’re often unregulated and much more about marketing than actualย animal welfare.

For example, “Cage Free” is a good start, but chickens and turkeys raised for meat (instead of eggs) are not typically caged, anyway — but they could still spend their entire lives in a crowded, filthy barn with no windows.

Instead, look for certifications that require better treatment of animals, specifically Certified Humane Raised & Handled, Animal Welfare Approved and Global Animal Partnership “Step 3” and above. Take the ASPCA’s helpfulย label guide with you so youโ€™re armed with facts.

2. Donโ€™t Pay the Cost of โ€œCheapโ€ Meat

In short, you get what you pay for. Industrial meat often costs less because companies cut corners with welfare and cheap feed, and use antibiotics to speed up growth. Investing in higher-welfare products sends the message that animal suffering is unacceptable.

Happy animals are healthier animals, which means that what you’re putting into your body is better for you, too.

3. Go to the Source

Useย Local Harvestย to locate a farmers market near you. There you can often talk directly to people who work on or for the farms to learn how they raise their animals. Ask them about their use of cages, pasture, and antibiotics. Ask to see photos of their farm – they should be excited and proudย to show you how they care for their animals.

When you buy a pastured, humanely raised chicken (or turkey, or pig…) from a farmer that really cares about the animals, you’re voting with your dollars and truly making the world a better place.

4. Plant Power

Meat may be the traditional centerpiece of a meal, but that doesn’t mean there needs to be a ton of it. Why not load up on amazing veggies, too?

5. Ask and Receive

You have the power to demand more humanely raised products in your stores. Talk to the butcher and ask where the meat comes from, and then follow through by buying only the meat that meets the higher standards of care.

At Whole Foods, for example, they clearly label the standards for their meat (using the Global Animal Partnership Step-Ratings). I’ll only buy “Step 4” rated meat or above, which means the animals live on pasture their entire lives.

This holiday season and going forward, demand more humanely raised chicken in your local stores with the ASPCA’sย supermarket request letter.

A photo of Andrew Wilder leaning into the frame and smiling, hovering over mixing bowls in the kitchen.

Welcome to Eating Rules!

Hi! My name is Andrew Wilder, and I think healthy eating doesnโ€™t have to suck. With just three simple eating rules, we'll kickstart your journey into the delicious and vibrant world of unprocessed food.

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Joyce Bair
December 22, 2014 7:47 am

I’m vegan but my family isn’t. Instead of just one covered dish (we each bring 1 dish), I brought between 4 & 6 to each event & made sure it was my very best. Still have one party left & I’ll be doing the same thing for it.

December 22, 2014 7:44 am

when there were no local farms producing turkey we put together a group to make it feasible for the local farm to raise them. now we have local turkey available year round.

December 22, 2014 7:33 am

I will be much more conscious of the food choices I make at the grocery store. Thank-you for highlighting this issue.

Elizabeth Finfgeld
December 22, 2014 7:26 am

I was considering purchasing and preparing a heritage turkey but just last night I decided to make a spinach broccoli roasted red pepper four cheese lasagna instead. Plus every day is “humane” day in my household because in spite of caring for four sweet hearted feline family members, we are STILL overrun by mouse invaders — nevertheless, we ALWAYS catch and release our rodent stowaways ๐Ÿ™‚

Stephanie Soto
December 22, 2014 7:24 am

We will not be having meat as our holiday meal centerpiece.

December 22, 2014 7:23 am

We used to go straight to the farm to purchase our turkeys for the holidays, but they unfortunately went out of business. So, this year, I Tweeted to spread the word.

ali
December 22, 2014 7:22 am

local and vegetarian for us ….

jessica z
December 22, 2014 7:19 am

We ordered a free-range organic turkey from a local crop share this year.

sonja
December 22, 2014 7:18 am

wish i wouldve turned vegan years ago!

Holly E
December 22, 2014 7:15 am

I am having an all vegetarian holiday dinner and donating to my local animal shelter.

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