VRG > Vegetarian Journal > 1994 Issue July > Letters to the Editor

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Letters to the Editor

Meeting Other Singles
I was pleased to see the article, "Where to Meet Other Vegetarians," in the March/April issue of Vegetarian Journal and wanted to inform readers in the New York/ New Jersey/Connecticut area about a singles group where they're likely to encounter vegetarians.

Conscious Singles Connection was founded on Valentine's Day 1990 to help people meet each other as they pursue personal growth, spirituality, and healthy living. Since then, we've had many marriages and relationships occur through the service. In addition to a newsletter with personal ads, we sponsor smoke-free events (open houses, dances, rap groups, retreats) at which only vegetarian food is served.

Joan Goldstein, New York

Vegetarian Journal keeps getting better and I don't know how you do it. I am writing, however, about what I believe to be some misinformation in the article, "Where to Meet Other Vegetarians." Unless they've changed their policy very recently, both the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society condone hunting. Many people are not aware of this but both organizations have a large membership of hunters and are not willing to come out against hunting for fear of losing these people. I believe that your readers should know the facts and not inadvertently support either organization.

Maria Harriton, New York

(Note from Debra Wasserman: Indeed, many so-called nature and outdoor clubs do condone hunting, and this is unfortunate. However, the best way to make change is for people to write letters, continue to speak up on issues they feel strongly about, and to become involved in these organizations. In most cases it is the leadership of a group that makes most decisions. Vegetarians should become active in local branches of these groups and if possible eventually take on a leadership role at a national/ international level. All groups are always looking for active volunteers and workers. In time, you'll have impact on the group's policies.)

Non-Vegetarian Catalogs
I sympathize with Joyce G. Hahnel's comments appearing in your March/April Letters to the Editors column. She is upset that vegetarian organizations recommend mail order catalogs which partially offer meat and animal products. There are several sides to this issue.

One aspect was handled very nicely by Debra Wasserman. The fact is that companies with com-pletely vegetarian catalogs often go out of business. The catalog companies that offer meat products often survive but get a bum rap.

We are very happy when we receive the news that a large fast-food corporation is considering adding one or two vegetarian items to its menu. These enterprises also serve hamburgers and profit from the slaughter of animals. Does this mean that the appearance of a vegetarian item on the menu of this type of corporation does not help the vegetarian cause? Definitely not!

Transforming the basic habits of the public progresses very slowly. Historically, it takes especially monumental exertion to change the eating habits of a society. In the meantime, commercial vegetarian enterprises, no matter how hard they try to be pure in practice, must survive financially or vege-tarians will not reap the benefits of their efforts.

Let's be patient and realistic. At present it is very difficult for an entirely vegetarian restaurant or food manufacturer to succeed, let alone flourish. I know. I run a purely vegan manufacturing operation and there are not enough vegetarians out there in concentrated numbers to make subsistence anything but tough. Even so, I intend to be in the purely vegan manufacturing business for some time to come.

LeRoy J. Binder, President, Golden Age Foods, New Mexico

Supermarket Chain Offers Veggie Burger
Readers in Florida may want to purchase either vegan or lacto-vegetarian Boca Burgers sold in Publix Supermarkets.

Jim Dunn, Florida

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