Processed Chicken Propaganda

For my service learning project this semester, I decided to make propaganda posters small enough to post on packages of meat in a grocery store and then do just that, in an effort to expose people to how their food is treated while it’s still alive. I chose to put out messages about chickens because, as Mason and Singer put it, “Chickens [are] kept in unnaturally large flocks, bred to grow too fast, and transported and killed in appalling conditions.” (Singer Mason, May We Eat Meat 3)

I made two separate versions of posters, one that displays the cruel mutilations to living chickens and their living conditions, and another card that shows what mechanically separated chicken looks like before it is pressed into “nuggets.”

I wanted to show at least a few people what their food goes through to become edible, and what I displayed was in the later stages on processing, after the fact that the birds’ biology is unnatural to begin with. “Generations of inbreeding for rapid growth have produced crippled birds prone to heart attacks and a slew of other health problems. They spend their short lives packed together by tens of thousands on manure-soaked floors, breathing dust and ammonia.” (Mason, Brave New Farm 161) This kind of manipulation to produce more food from chickens harms quality of food as well as the environment. Not to mention, these living conditions are sick. It’s disgusting, what these corporations are allowed to do to animals meant for human consumption. The idea that we put animals that have been through this into our bodies is disgusting.

Using propaganda, I want to discourage the purchasing of factory-farm produced meat, but in no way so I mean to discourage consumption of meat. Such a goal is against my personal beliefs, but also a fool’s errand. “None of us, whether we are vegan or omnivore, can entirely avoid foods that play a role in global warming. Singling out meat is misleading and unhelpful, especially since few people are likely to entirely abandon animal-based foods … The 90 percent of Americans who eat meat and dairy are likely to respond the same way.” (Niman) There are simply too many people that simply don’t care where their meat comes from. I myself was raised that way. In fact, I was only vaguely aware that chickens were the same chicken that ended up on my dinner plate as a child. I was never formally taught where my food comes from when I was younger.

After placing the cards on packages of meat, I did some grocery shopping, since I was already there, and came back to the meats about twenty minutes later. All my cards were gone! Some customer or employee must have removed them, which doesn’t really surprise me. People don’t like to be reminded of where meat comes from or what it goes through to get to the consumer.

It’s unlikely that I can affect much of a change in the eating habits of others, but by supporting a larger organization, and voting with my wallet, I believe that I can make a meaningful impact it the way food is viewed and consumed in this country.

Our Daily Bread

I have always wondered how I could give back to my community or simply having the chance to help others and when the opportunity came around for me to go out and volunteer with any program or any organization of my choice the first thought that pooped into my head was "Soup Kitchen". I come from a family that likes to donate; whether its clothes, toys, appiliances, etc. We are always trying to help those that are less fortunate. If we know someone that hasnt eaten or doessn't have enough money to buy a meal or cook one, we either give them money or invite them over for dinner or sometimes just make them a plate. I have always wanted to go volunteer at a soup kitchen, mainly from television shows, when the person volunteers there they come back changed or enlightened. So I decided that I was going to volunteer at Our Daily Bread by the way of St. Andrews Church. The staff were so welcoming and really glad to have me there. The head chef, named Chef Liz runs a very tight but friendly kitchen. She makes sure everything is clean and the food is done ontime for when the guest arrive for their lunch. Since the serving staff was already full, I had to wash dishes. They serve food from 11am-1pm everyday. It doesnt matter who comes or the reasoning on why a person is coming as long as you have your organization card you are welcome to a free hot delicious meal. The organization card is free, no hidden fees, absolutely free. Chef Liz gets about 4 to 500 volunteers all the time. So many people want to volunteer there that you have to sign up online before you can come in. Only about 10 people can be in the kitchen, that includes servers, washers and dryers, food handlers, and cooks. All the food that is prepared there have all been donated. Walmart has been the leading provider for most of the food. The fruits and vegetables were donated by local farms. Nothing is wasted at the soup kitchen. The vegetables and fruits that were cut but not needed are sent to a pig pen for the pigs to eat. Its a cycle,"the giver keeps giving." I talked to one of the volunteers, who actually comes to eat there frequently. He told me that at the beginning of the month its only about 150 people that come to eat, but towards the end of the month that number jumps to over 150. He says by that time money has, became tight and the people there sometimes are no longer able to feed their family or themselves. I found that quite interesting and it made sense. Starting off the month pretty fine until, you start getting hit with bills, yeah I could see how that works. Another volunteer told me during the summer it gets really crowded due to the fact children start to come. That also makes since, because during the summer kids are out of school and they need somewhere to go to eat. What is so neat about this place is that they prepare so much food that if the guests want seconds then they can get it after everybody has been through the line atleast once. If there is more food left over after that the volunteers can take the food home to their famillies. Remember no food is wasted. The volunteers even get to try the food before it's served to the guests. I saw all kinds of people at the soup kitchen, which makes me think it's not a specific race, gender, age that needs help, its the whole world. We need more organzitations like Our Daily Bread that wants to make sure that our community no our world doesnt have to go hungry. Its too many resources that we have to let someone not eat. All we need is a few good people that doesnt mind giving a few hours out their day to help the ones that are unable to maintain the lifestyle that we are living. I agree with Murdoch flagging Hardin's Lifeboat thesis as misleading. We (Americans) can help the world hunger problems without punishing ourselves, we have unlimited resources for food. I left the soup kitchen feeling great inside, not because I feel like I did anything special, but to see how grateful and appreacitaive the guests were to have a place where they can come to for a free hot meal and fellowship was simply amzaing. Now I see why the people on televison shows feel the way the do when they leave the soup kitchen.