Letters to the Editors
Don't Patronize Fast Food Restaurants
In your November/December 1992 Note From The Coordinators, near the end of
the article it stated, "We hope readers will patronize Taco Bell and other places
which carry vegetarian items."
I have read and heard much about the meat and poultry industry — much of it negative and graphic. I've also read about the poor quality and nutritional value of fast food and strongly disagree with the idea of patronizing these places to encourage the availability of vegetarian selections.
We should seek out those places that cater to us out of agreement and common values, not those who solely seek our money. Why not encourage the patronage of local vegetarian and health food restaurants? People should also eat more at home or brown bag it.
Scott O'Malley, New York
Editors' Note: The Vegetarian Resource Group is always promoting vegetarian and health food restaurants. Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Food Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, a book we wrote which is being published by Avery Book Publishing Company this spring, is just one example of our efforts. The fact, however, is that many people eat in fast food chains. Yes, these restaurants generally serve non-vegetarian items, many of which are high-fat and unhealthy. One way to make changes in these establishments is to promote their healthy vegetarian options. If these items sell well, more will be added to the menu. Perhaps the day will come when the demand for healthy vegetarian food outweighs the demand for non-vegetarian and unhealthy dishes. This can only happen if meat-eaters are given the opportunity to try healthy, good-tasting vegetarian meals and they, along with vegetarians, purchase the items. Only then will we see vegetarian fast food chains nationwide.
New Vegetarian Group in South Carolina
I am writing to inform you about a new vegetarian group that has formed in the
upstate South Carolina area. Our group had its first meeting in September 1992 and
since then has been meeting every third Thursday of the month in Clemson, South
Carolina, for a potluck...We hope to do community education projects in the future.
Theresa M. Pizzuto, South Carolina
Vegetarian Recipes Wanted
Skipping Stones, a multicultural children's quarterly journal, is seeking
submissions for a feature called "Your Favorite Recipes." We would like to include
as many original vegetarian recipes as possible.
Arun Narayan Toke, Oregon
University of Colorado - Boulder Serves Vegan and Vegetarian
Meals
I was reading your September/ October 1992 issue of Vegetarian Journal when
I realized that you did not include our university as a school offering vegan items.
At the University of Colorado - Boulder we offer a vegan entree at every lunch and
dinner seven days a week. Some of our typical items include Black Bean Burgers,
Stuffed Peppers with Creole Sauce, Vegan-style Pizza, Vegetarian Chili, Eggplant
Marinara, Oriental Stir-fry, Red Beans and Rice, and Ratatouille with Rice. We are
currently in the process of testing the quantity recipes we purchased from The
Vegetarian Resource Group.
Lauren Barnett, R.D., Colorado
