Worldwide Success!
Meatout 2007 Confronted Global Warming

View the detailed Events Report.

This March, people around the world learned how a healthy, plant-based diet is beneficial for human health, the environment, and the animals. More than a thousand communities in all 50 states and 26 other countries welcomed spring with colorful educational events ranging from information tables, exhibits, and lectures to cooking demonstrations, receptions, and elaborate “lifestivals.” Visitors were asked to “kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and to explore a nonviolent, wholesome diet of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.” The observance had widespread support from celebrity entertainers, health authorities, public officials, and the media.

In the nation’s capital, 250 congressional staffers attended a vegan feast complete with speakers, videos, and tons of veg literature at the annual Congressional Meatout Reception. Click here for Congressional Reception Report. Exciting activities continued on Capitol Hill throughout Meatout week, including an information table in front of the National Mall.

Lifestivals, featuring live bands, speakers, exhibits, video screenings, health screenings, food vendors, cooking demonstrations, vegan food samples, and games were held across the U.S. Hundreds of visitors showed up for Meatout celebrations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Knoxville, and Saint Louis. Detroit drew 1200 visitors, Indianapolis expects more than 300 for their upcoming festival, and the Seattle VegFest educated thousands.

Caring people distributed a total of 50,000 colorful Meatout postcards offering Free Veg Starter Kits and weekly recipes (great for Earth Day too - click here to order yours now). Activists informed others about the environmental impacts of meat consumption in honor of this year’s Meatout theme, "Stop Global Warming!" They demonstrated how convenient and tasty an environmentally-friendly diet can be by distributing delicious samples of alternatives to meat and dairy.

Educational festivities took place in 65 universities and colleges throughout U.S. and Canada. These included Alabama, American, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Texas, Northwestern, Ohio, Rhode Island, Sarah Lawrence, Texas Law School, Vermont Law School, Xavier, and many more. Meatout organizers at Penn State were confronted with a rebuttal event by Penn State agriculture groups. Read this news article to see our response. Elementary and high school teachers held special classes on the benefits of plant-based eating.

Some communities held creative events to educate others. Philadelphia activists set up “Make the Connection” exhibits, information tables, and video screenings at key locations throughout the city. “Lettuce Ladies” staffed a float and distributed handouts in San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Savannah College students offered a two-week “Vegetarian Challenge.” University of Central Florida students paraded around campus with visual displays while leafleting.

Humane societies and animal sanctuaries throughout the U.S. offered Veg Starter Kits to visitors. Retailers jumped on board with 70 participating health food stores and restaurants highlighting Meatout displays and veg products throughout March.

Letters to editors carried the Meatout message in 180 newspapers nationwide, while media interviews further raised public awareness. Continuing to promote the Meatout message, hundreds of bus cards and giant billboards will be placed in major cities. Help us spread the message further - click here to donate.

Governors and mayors issued Meatout proclamations promoting consumption of vegetables, fruits, and grains. All-Yours greeting card company designed a set of special Meatout greeting cards. National burger chain, Johnny Rockets offered a free Boca burger special throughout the month of March. Celebrity headliners included Alicia Silverstone, Casey Kasem, Joaquin Phoenix, James Cromwell, Mary Tyler-Moore, Ed Asner, Jennie Garth, and Bill Maher.

International observances were a success with participation from groups in 26 other countries. Numerous events took place in Argentina, Canada, Croatia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Kenya, México, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, and throughout the UK. Special Meatout websites were launched in German and French, with nearly two dozen event listings on each site. Other participating countries included Australia, Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, Ireland, Netherlands, Nigeria, Perú, Romania, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The worldwide Meatout campaign has been coordinated since 1985 by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a nonprofit educational organization in the nation’s capital. This year’s observance was co-sponsored by E-Magazine, In Defense of Animals, SoyBoy, and Vegetarian Times with activity support from Mercy for Animals, PETA, and Vegan Outreach. Community events were arranged by local consumer, environmental, and animal protection groups.

What's Next? Earth Day is April 22nd! Let others know about the environmental impacts of eating meat. Click here to find out how to get active.

Special Thanks to Meatout 2007 Co-Sponsors:

 

 

Supporting Meatout Manufacturers donated their delicious products to demonstrate that great health can also have great taste! Special thanks our Supporting Manufacturers: