MAP: Factory Farms in the United States

Photo credit: factoryfarmmap.org

Factory farms in the United States have reached alarmingly high numbers over the past decade. An interactive web tool from Food & Water Watch provides a dramatic and disturbing visualization of the increasingly consolidated animal agriculture industry that takes place in the United States. To make the map, the advocacy group used USDA livestock census data from 2002 and 2007, providing a way for concerned consumers to explore the origin of meat and dairy foods in the United States.

Grist blogger, Tom Phillip, used the tool to explore hog and chicken production in counties near his home in North Carolina and had this to say about the map:

“The meat industry operates under a cloak of darkness. With the data assembled here — drawn from a web of state and national sources — Food & Water Watch has given us a powerful flashlight for negating some of that darkness.”

Along with the interactive map, Food & Water Watch provides tools, charts and rankings for consumers who wish to find non-factory farm sources of meat and dairy and encourages them demand government action through petitions linked at the top of the map. You can check it out here.

ThingLink: A Look at a Factory Farm in California

Factory farms are vastly present in the United States. Below is a picture of a typical factory farm layout, with this particular farm located in California. In the ThingLink provided, I have explained certain facilities and aspects of this Factory Farm.

For the interactive picture on ThingLink, either click the picture above or click HERE.

The Truth About Factory Farming

The treatment of animals on factory farms is unethical and unhealthy. I remember the first time I saw how animals were treated on these farms, I was both sad and angry and knew that there was something I could do to lessen the cruelty these animals go through. Even just switching from cow milk to almond milk you are choosing the healthier alternative, while helping to prevent animal cruelty in the process.

Photo credit: No Third Solution

Before watching the video below, here are some facts about factory farms and the harm they not only cause to the animals, but to yourself and the environment as well.

WARNING: The following video is extremely graphic and may not be suitable for all viewers.

Legislation to Improve the Lives of Animals

Photo credit: Animal Factory Book

In recent years, inadequate or nonexistent legislation to protect animals has kept the agribusiness industry from implementing tremendous changes in animal welfare. However, the past five years have seen some exciting possibilities for true legal protection of farmed animals in the form of progressive new legislation at the state level, most recently with this victory in Ohio.

Posted on Food and Water Watch is a petiton to the members of Congress to pass a Fair Farm Deal which reads:

“Our current food system is broken, and it didn’t happen by accident. It’s time for a new farm bill that creates a healthy food system. Please support these actions in the next farm bill:

-Level the playing field for farmers 
-Make markets fair for farmers and consumers
-Ensure food security by restoring the grain reserve 
-Make healthy food accessible for all people 
-Rebuild local infrastructure for regional food systems
-Make smart government food purchases
-Support new sustainable farming programs
-Promote environmental stewardship
-Require full safety reviews and labeling of GE foods
-Stop subsidizing factory farms and dangerous technologies.”

You can sign the petition here.

INFOGRAPHIC: PETA and Why You Should Go Vegan

We all know that the best way to help dimish the number of factory farms in America, and the best way to help the environment as whole, is by going vegan.

But did you know that cows, pigs, chicken, and other animals raised primarily for food are the main consumers of water in America? For example, a single pig consumes 21 gallons of drinking water per day, while a cow on a dairy farm drinks as much as 50 gallons daily. Think about it, that’s a lot of water! And even more shocking, it takes more than 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of cow flesh, compared to about 219 gallons of water to make 1 pound of tofu.

So what does this information mean? Aside from all the other damage they do, factory farms waste water.

Take a look at this infographic to see why YOU should go vegan!

My Top Ten Vegetarian Spots to Eat in Albany: An Interactive Map

Being a vegetarian for the past 7 years, it is hard for me to find places to eat out while still getting a decent meal. However, most restaurants in the Albany area have been increasingly aware of non-meat eaters and have stepped up to the plate on offering a wider range of options to their menus. Below I have listed my top ten favorite food spots in the Albany area, all of which are relatively close to the UAlbany campus.

1. Hana Japanese Steak House
Located right on Western Ave, Hana is a great spot for Japanese dining. Their hibachi is out of this world, and their sushi and drink menu is delicious. The atmosphere is fun and inviting and the staff is nothing but friendly and energetic. Perfect for a Friday night dinner with friends.

2. Mr. Fuji Sushi
Located right in Stuyvesant Plaza, Mr.Fuji Sushi is a small sushi bar with a New York City feel to it.  Offering various types of sushi as well as Japanese style dishes, their food is great with reasonable pricing.

3. Peaches Cafe
Right across from Mr. Fuji in Stuyvesant Plaza, Peaches Cafe offers a charming, small and cozy environment. Peaches Cafe is the perfect place for a quick bite to eat, whether it be breakfast or lunch.

4. Chipotle Mexican Grill
A hop, skip and a jump away from Peaches Cafe, Chipotle offers quick, fresh food when you’re on the go. Perfect for college students.

5. Bombers Burrito Bar
Located on Lark Street, Bombers is the best spot for nachos, burritos or a quesadilla. It is a hip burrito bar, plus their staff and decor is awesome.

6. Greenhouse Salad
Located on North Pearl Street, Greenhouse is a somewhat unknown salad bar. With fresh ingredients that are likely to fill you up, this salad bar is delicious and totally worth the couple extra bucks.

7. Albany Pump Station
Located in Quackenbush Square, the Albany Pump Station is my favorite restaurant in Albany. With an industrial look to it, and being their own brewing company, the Pump station has great food and a cool vibe unlike most restaurants in the area.

8. Panera Bread
Located on Washington Avenue Extension, Panera is always a go-to. Everyone loves Panera, need I say more?

9. Bruegger’s
Located on Western Avenue, and many other locations in Albany, Buregger’s is the only place to get good bagels in Albany. They also have great sandwiches and salads.

10. Professor Java’s Coffee Sanctuary
Located on Wolf Road, Professor Java’s is your ultimate coffee spot. It offers a down to earth environment with tons of coffee drinks, tea, baked goods as well as sandwiches. A plus to Java’s, they sometimes host bands or open mic nights.