"New Flava"

Today I ate a vegan lunch like any other day -- except it wasn't like any other day. Today's vegan sandwich was delivered from Canada and was made by KFC. Yes, the very same Kentucky Fried Chicken that I, along with many celebrities and activists made headlines boycotting just a few years ago. As I bit into the delicious un-chicken and lettuce wrap, I remembered how frustrating and seemingly unfruitful mediating those talks between KFC, their supplier Yum Brands, and PETA were. We were asking KFC to take what we believed were financially achievable steps that would lead to more healthy and compassionate menu choices for their customers. As an example, we cited one of KFC's competitors, McDonalds, who has made great strides in these areas (including: agreeing to phase in chicken flesh and eggs from suppliers that don't de-beak chickens; no longer buying eggs from suppliers that give hens less than 72 square inches of space per bird; refusing to buy eggs from suppliers that withhold food and water in order to increase egg production -- a process known as forced-molting; instituting more-humane catching methods for chickens; offering financial incentives to employees who handle the birds carefully; ordering audits of slaughterhouses and, for the first time ever, recently cutting off several suppliers that are out of compliance with basic humane slaughter guidelines).

I have long been concerned with promoting better eating habits for myself, my family, my community and the planet. I am saddened by the fact that the most accessible and affordable food to low income communities is fast primarily unhealthy food. Therefore, I view KFC's Canadian launch of this new vegan sandwich as the first step toward a more compassionate KFC and hope it will be made available here in the United States for all to enjoy.

The subject of animal rights is one of the centerpieces in the promotion of a new consciousness. There are many karmic effects that can be seen because of our abuse of animals, including the number one factor of global warming -- the factory farming of animals. The unconscious mind tends to ignore their karmic footprint on this earth. If each one of us has a more watchful eye where we step, we will create a new earth where the abuse of the planet, the animals, and each other will be less prevalent. For that I thank KFC in Canada for making a conscious effort to support the growth of this new earth.

Comments

[livesbythec]

Thank you for such a poignant and compassionate article!

[dapperd72]

Mazel Tov, Russell, on becoming vegan though I have umpteen issues with much pf PeTA's strategy over the past decade. I wish you would actively influence Obama & other high-profile civil rights leaders to follow suit on this compassionate path. I personally would never patronize KFC or any other such establishment, as I believe the entire fast-food industry is a hideous abomination that massacres billions of nonhumans for profit annually. My cynical realistic self informs me that KFC cares about nonhumans about as much as Walmart cares about the ecosystem when they introduced their line of organic produce. These companies respond to the marketplace. Whatever KFC's "unchicken" sandwich contains, I can't imagine it's healthful at all, though it may be the "lesser of 2 evils" compared to traditional fare. The most healthful diet is the simplest: fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables, along with moderate nuts & seeds, IOW the frugivorous diet as Nature assigned to us in the Garden of Eden, parallel to that of all other primates.

I must give PeTA credit where it's due, such as their perfectly accurate comparisons between the Nazi Holocaust and the slaughter of nonhuman animals, along with vivisection & other exploitation. As a secular Jew who's been vegan for over 14 years, I'm personally offended by anyone who denies these connections between human rights violations and nonhuman slavery by our species. I became vegan primarily for ethical reasons and Judaism has a strict principle that mandates ethical treatment of animals in the

[WilliePilgrim]

Considering how little like genuine meat meat actually tastes like when it's meat when used in burgers, lunchmeat and breaded deepfry, its hard to believe it's taken so long to come up with an acceptible replacement. I'm presuming this is some sort of texturized soy or maybe that mushroom derived "quorn", or maybe we'd rather not know. I doubt that most folks could tell much of a difference between a bocca burger and a white castle unless they really tried. Our fast-food is mostly overhwelmed with the intense flavors of garlic powders and other spices as well as the aroma of artificial smoke, scortched oils and burnt sugars.
Make it kinda rubbery, satisfyingly oily (olive oil is fine), a touch of garlic powder and a bunch of salt. Ah yes, salt, the magical ingredient that makes any food taste like it's american and the primary explanation for the epidemic of hypertension in the nation. Oh, and to top it off, the bread or bun on which the "meat" is served is probably the biggest contributor to the sodium intake even if it's not considered salty by our tastebuds.
Oh, and do have another farm raised shrimp, while you're at it.

[Vinlander]

It'll never replace poutine as a Canadian favorite.

[pizzmoe]

Great work, Mr. Simmons.

[NyPrincess]

Great post! Thank you Mr. Simmons for all of your hard work on behalf of animals.

[SEQUOIABISON]

Russell I have a new found respect for you and the humanitarian work you are trying to accomplish. I have been a vegan for 30 years for health and moral reasons so it is nice to see a celebrity with your status attempting to make significant changes in our unconscious cruel eating habits.

"You put a baby in a crib with an apple and a rabbit. If it eats the rabbit and plays with the apple, I'll buy you a new car." Harvey Diamond author of Fit for Life.

[Novista]

Funny thing, I've never importuned a vegan to eat meat ...

Ever since I read Cleve Backster's experiments with eggs and vegetables, I stopped worrying about the karmic aspect of anything.

[kingshmoopy]

Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for working on behalf of sentient beings and for being such a wonderful model of compassion and activism.

I learned about your activism when I worked at PETA (9 years ago now) and have always been impressed by you since.

And, BTW, to people who claim that PETA is a "terrorist" organization it most certainly is not. You may agree with their ends or not PETA is an organization of very compassionate, hard working people who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of animals through legal means.

While Ingrid, the Pres of PETA, has been known to advocate on behalf of people who operate outside the law in order to save animals, she is very, very careful about making certain that everything that happens in PETA, and by PETA staff, is completely legal and above the board. She is a smart, shrewd person and knows that anything other than completely legal operations at PETA would only create trouble for the cause.

PETA staffers are ordinary people who believe strongly in what they do, but they know to always keep it clean because Ingrid will not cover your butt if you screw up. I was told very flatly that anything outside the law would not be tolerated and would mean immediate dismissal, period.

[moreupnorth]

Although I agree with Mr. Simmonds and his efforts I have to do my "Are you out of your mind" statement about PETA. "...PETA is an organization of very compassionate, hard working people who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of animals through legal means."

Are you serious? Legal yes but disgusting and immoral and putrid were left out in that description. What do you have to say about the immoral and disgusting advertisement PETA tried to run in the newspaper in Portage La Prarie Manitoba. You know the one that tried to compare the murder and beheading of an innocent 19 year old bus passenger there, with the slaughter of chickens. How dare you folks get on your high horse with such a low moral standard as you publically display.

Here's the article in a non-US paper http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1071930.html

Next time why not try and ad that compares the senseless slaughter of Iraqi civilians to the slaughter of chickens.

There is no compassion when an organization like PETA would disrespect the victim and family of a heious crime to further their goals. That is a Bush Regime tactic.

While on the other hand Mr. Simmonds uses a much subtler approach by being less public, showing respect for all involved, and moving behind the scenes, without fanfare or publicity.

Take a lesson from him and change your tactics.

[kingshmoopy]

I was going to put something in my initial post about how many of the more edgy campaigns PETA has are over the top and do more harm to the cause than good, but I didn't have room.

But, since you jumped all over my case about it, I do agree with you to a certain extent. I've rolled my eyes more than once about some of the ad campaigns, not because I don't agree with the premise but because they are too extreme for the audience to relate to. And thus, harm the cause.

However, having worked there, I can tell you that Ingrid Newkirk gets these crazy ideas in her head and there is no arguing with her at all. As far as I can remember she was the one who came up with the crazy "got beer?" ad that po'd many people off.

Part of the reason I stopped working there is because I couldn't keep my mouth shut and refrain from telling Ingrid when I thought she was off the mark--she hates that and I go fired for it.

And many people I worked with felt the same but decided to look at the bigger picture and remember that, agree with Ingrid or not, they were still doing a lot of good on behalf of animals. I may not agree with all the tactis but I cannot ever deny the fact that they do a lot of very concrete good on behalf of animals.

[kingshmoopy]

BTW, I agree with you about the ad comparing the murder victim and chicken in a slaughterhouse. Both are heinous and immoral but it is inexcusable to use someone's murder to promote one's cause--no matter how worthy that cause is.

[clevelandchick]

Thank you so much for your efforts Mr. Simpson. Years ago, I was driving on the shoreway to work and I saw a billboard that had a kitten on the left and piglet on the right, below it were the words "Which one do you eat and Why?". As a pet owner and animal lover...it was that kind of subtle message that worked. I became a vegetarian that day.

Another issue I could see you making a huge impact on is community gardening, I'm a member of a small urban garden myself and our city boasts about 180 around town. Some communities dealing with foreclosures are razing vacant properties and turning them into green space and community gardens as we speak.

I gave the left over plants the city gives us to the VOA and my friend that is a director there said his vets got sooooo into their garden. It gives the guys there something really constructive to do and helps the facility with their increased food costs.

As a vegan and spokesperson for the cause I hope you not only promote this new vegan sandwhich by KFC but local community gardening. The best way to recruit vegans and vegetarians is to get the people to garden.

[QueenCeleste]

Thank you for this piece and for all of your wonderful work on behalf of animals. They are very lucky to have such an articulate and passionate spokesman in their corner!

I applaud KFC for this humane step. I hope it proves very popular for them. All fast food joints should have vegan or vegetarian options. Even meat eaters might be surprised that not only does does veggie food taste good, it makes one feel better, and, of course, is far better for you.

Thanks again.

[Jonahson]

To improve their image -yes.
Compassion - certainly not.
Good work though Russell.

[vernbvb]

Thank you so much for informing us that KFC has added vegan choices to its menu. Even though I very seldom eat there, I have grandchildren who do and I am always mindful of their choices. We compromise on choices, i choose the main dish and let them choose the sides or i choose the sides and let them choose the entree. Hopefully one day soon, i will take them to a fast food restuarant and they will surprise and please me by choosing a complete vegan meal.

My favorite fastfood restuarants for my grandchildren are Subway and McDonald's. But I am sure there have to be others out there which offer better menus for low fat or vegetarian diets. If someone has a list they would like to share i would appreciate it.

[coolmaiden]

Wendy's has some tasty salads on the veggie front, and also has mandarin oranges as a side for the kiddies. Their chili, while not veggie, is only 5 or 6 Weight Watcher points! They also have long had plain baked potatoes, and now have salsa to put on top.

[cmaff05]

Russell,

You have always been one of my heroes. Through persistence and compassion, you have convinced thousands of people to become vegetarians or vegans. That is admirable.

[Javarod]

I shouldn't be surprised that you didn't make much head way with Yum foods. The new name of Tricon foods, the Pepsi spin off who owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and a number of other brands are always low on my food choices, i find their products typically taste cheaply made and are generally underwhelming. I highly doubt they would make any change to their business that doesn't clear put money in their pockets, and it has to be more than a little.

While i'm not a vegetarian in any way, i would be interested in trying this ifn they bring it down here.