At the heart of all that we do is love, and today – with 50 children – we are visiting Farm Sanctuary in California to meet the animals rescued from the farming industry and to enjoy a beautiful vegan lunch. There is much to love about today’s food justice initiative.
How is Veganism Love?
Veganism is about showing love for ourselves through the foods we put into our bodies to nourish them, and love for all the animals that are directly and indirectly impacted by our food choices. When we choose to eat plant-based foods instead of animal-based foods, we help to reduce the unnecessary animal suffering, exploitation, and environmental degradation caused by animal-based food systems such as factory farming and industrial fishing.
Adopting a plant-based diet is the most effective way that we, as individuals, can take action against animal suffering and show our commitment to loving all species of animals, regardless of whether they’re a dog or a pig, a chicken or a penguin, a cow or a zebra, a fish or a whale. Eating plant foods over animal products also helps us to love ourselves, because it promotes better health, strengthens our immunity and gives us the best chance at a healthy, long life.
Making the Connection
So today, we’ve taken this opportunity, not just to give people the chance to try vegan food, but also to meet and appreciate the lives of animals who are normally seen as food commodities rather than as the beautiful, sentient beings they are.
“We are so excited to take 50 school children of various ages to Farm Sanctuary,” says Naomi Hallum, CEO of Million Dollar Vegan. “There, they will get to meet and learn about the unique personalities of cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys and ducks, and the suffering these individuals were saved from when they were rescued from slaughter. The children will also get to learn about the many health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet, and enjoy a delicious vegan picnic-lunch from Veggie Grill. It’s going to be a fun, educational and enriching experience for all!”