tek-monkey said:
I do agree, I guess I just don't feel as strongly about it. Weird, as I'm an animal lover (have a fair few), but it never really enters my mind when shopping. I may have graduated many moons ago, but still shop like a student. Buy the essentials, and then whatever is on special offer at the end of the aisles that takes my fancy. Being single helps here, rarely cooking helps more. I cook maybe once a week, but when I do I often make a load up and freeze it (or more usually feed my flatmates too). Also, infrequent cooking means more frozen food, which rarely seems to be ethical stuff.
i identify with your sentiments as i do a a very similar thing- the major difference being that i only make vegetarian stuff.
to be honest, im not a veggie, i really wouldnt be a very good one if i was- i love meat! but i hate buying it, and to be honest, cooking it is a ballache. im more than happy to eat meat that other prepare for me, but im just lazy.
i know what you mean about the budget thing, my lack of meat buying started when i was at uni and ive never gone back to it, apart from the odd pack of lamb mince to make lasagne for those that refuse to eat quorn (the veggie version is loads better IMHO). id love to buy more organic fruit and veggies, but when the quality of fare on offer in my morrisons is so poor anyway (and i refuse on principal to go to tesco further down the road), im not preapred to take the chance with my hard earned cash.
as a singleton im also a fan of freezing and probably do a big shop and cook every 5-6 weeks- which the veggie option suits brilliantly when it comes to defrosting and microwaving.
but i did watch hughs efforts with anticipation- i was surprised he did as well as he did considering the prejudices from the town (christ, a canteen that doesnt cook- ruuuuubbbish!) and the stonewalling he received from the supermarkets.
i am of the belief that animals bred for food, are for food, not pets, no emotional attachment- but despite this, we do have a duty to ensure that animal has a decent quality of life and its being isnt exploited for our benefit. i also believe that people ought to be informed about where their food comes from and the processes it goes through before theyre cleaned up, plucked, skinned, deboned and shrink wrapped.
i would be intrigued to see a program of the same ilk about the rearing of lamb- i have to admit that if i will order anything in a restaurant....it tends to be this.
if i ever buy chicken again (the last time was december 2006....and then i had to ask a friend how to cook it!) i will definitely be looking at the label twice to check its free range.
x
ps. no more of my favourite sandwich filling for me anymore either....garlic and herb philly with chicken roll slices.