The meat of the matter

We understand why so many Chico Natural Foods members wanted the store to continue its practice of not selling meat or meat products. They believe it’s possible to eat healthfully without exploiting other animals and taking their lives, and they wanted their store to remain the only one in Chico that didn’t participate in that process. It’s easy to respect that position.

Recent voting showed that twice as many CNF members wanted the store to change its policy, however, so this week the board of directors voted unanimously to do so. They want the store to serve all its members better, and there’s nothing wrong with that, either. Vegetarians will of course still be welcome and well-served at CNF.

Our understanding is that the store hopes to offer locally raised meat and poultry from animals that have been kindly cared for and humanely slaughtered. In this age of factory farms, corporate slaughterhouses and long-distance shipping, raising animals humanely and locally is a radical and worthy endeavor. It’s one all of us, even vegetarians, can and should support.