SUMMER 2021 Living passionate CLCom Paul WesleyInspiring the masses Big Changes in Brazil Hard-won commitment will change millions of lives Costco Uncovered Shocking undercover footage stirs thousands to action ChooseVeg Partners Spotlighting BIPOC vegan businesses hope. Reflecting on these trips, I think about the farmers and what their DEAR FRIENDS, transformations signify: that people can change; that compassion will prevail; that It’s hard to believe that one year ago, our collective force matters; that human we were just beginning to adjust to beings, for all our faults, are relentless in life in lockdown. Hope, back then, was our efforts to improve—ourselves, our scarce. As someone who both suffers and world, and our interactions with others. benefits from being a strong empath, like many animal advocates, I often struggled We at Mercy For Animals have so much to find hope, let alone my way out of to be hopeful about. We have one bed, to my desk, to this computer that I another as a committed team, continuing am typing on. to show up and solve problems. As you will read in this issue, we have corporate I take hope seriously. I do not throw it and legislative reform in motion for around like some inspirational meme. So farmed animals around the world. We my search for hope over the past year has are making progress; the policies of the been a purposeful, proactive quest for largest institutions reflect that. Plant- connection and meaning amid so much based options keep increasing, and the heartbreak and suffering. public is more engaged than ever in creating a kinder food system. Most of Among other places, this pursuit took me all, we have you, our loyal supporters, to rural Texas and North Carolina, where standing alongside us. I met with farmers who, though trapped in the exploitative contract-farming I believe in change—of systems, system, are forging a path out of raising institutions, and people. Together we animals and transitioning to sustainable, continue our work, our steady progress, plant-based agriculture. I spent time with to construct a more compassionate the animals still confined in their farms, world. Thank you for sharing our hope for bearing witness to the suffering chickens this future. and pigs endure—the monotony, the debilitating illnesses, the mental anguish I know they feel. At times, I was ashamed With gratitude, Cover Photo: James Lee Wall of my visceral reaction, my urge to flee from the noise and smell of these places. I can only imagine the animals, too, want to flee; they also sense the constant danger. Leah Garcés But sometimes it takes traveling to President the darkest places to feel the greatest IS PROUD TO SUPPORT Mercy For Animals vision of a world where animals are respected, protected, and free. Oatly has the whole country Moving Animals singing—and debating. The Oatly Makes plant-based milk company’s The new short film Moving first-ever Super Bowl Animals documents the a Statement commercial has gone viral. excruciating journey animals face While viewers were split on in transport from factory farms whether they loved or hated it, to slaughterhouses. The film everyone was talking about it. follows the work of award-winning photojournalist and author Jo-Anne McArthur. Impossibly Cheap For the second time in a year, plant-based company VEG Impossible Foods is taking on animal meat by slashing prices TREND for foodservice distributors. SUMMER Honoring Black Game On! History Month This year’s Super Bowl was a lot more In honor of Black History vegan-friendly! After talks with Mercy For Month, the Afro-Vegan Animals, the local Tampa Bay Super Bowl Society launched Veguary, host committee decided to serve plant- a month-long campaign based meals at hospitality events. offering free programs that highlight the incredible work of Black vegan leaders. 3D Printing the Future The world’s first slaughter-free 3D-printed Overthrowing Hunger ribeye steak has been successfully New York City got its first vegan community fridge! cultivated in Israel, while 3D-printed Visitors to the Overthrow Community Fridge find salmon is set to debut in Austria. Both items like fresh produce, canned goods, beans, rice, products are made with real animal cells toiletries, clothing, and educational literature on but do not involve killing a single animal. plant-based eating. MissionMEMBERS ON A ercy For Animals is “These days it’s easier than ever to lucky enough to partner take animal meat out of a meal,” said with many incredible Sue. “There are so many easy-to- M make and great-tasting plant-based advocates who make our vital work recipes and animal-meat alternatives possible. We’re excited to share that it’s actually fun to do it.” the stories of two remarkable, Sue’s hope is that through Let’s Meat Less she determined advocates and their can educate and empower people to fuel their visions for a healthier, more bodies with food that positively impacts their compassionate future! health, conserves the environment, and protects As Managing Director Sid Hariharan of farmed animals. She launched this public health Rothschild & Co., a leading global advisory initiative to provide the latest in plant-based news, firm, he brings a unique skill set to our fresh and exciting recipes, expert videos, and board. In his day-to-day work, he is especially more. These free resources are designed to be interested in plant-based businesses and comprehensive and make eating less meat easy. works to increase their access to funding opportunities. Sid hopes for a completely “I want to let people know that plant-based world, one where we don’t harm it’s simple for individuals to make or exploit animals in any way. these changes. We don’t have to be experts, wealthy, or powerful. We “I am especially excited about can enjoy delicious, beautiful food raising awareness of plant- and still make our world better. We based diets so that an increasing simply need to meat less.” number of people reduce animal consumption gradually initially and In April, Let’s Meat Less will roll out a new Meatless completely eventually,” said Sid. Monday initiative in Columbia, South Carolina. Sid is optimistic that through scientific Follow @LetsMeatLess for daily tips! * innovations our society will move toward a food system that’s more sustainable and Siddharth Hariharan compassionate for all. Sue Doran Inspired by our undercover investigations and Transfarmation program, Sid Hariharan, one of Sue Doran, an animal lover and avid activist— our newest board members, said the decision Join us in shaping a not only for animals but for racial and LGBTQ+ to join the Mercy For Animals board was a equality—learned about the benefits of plant- no-brainer: better world based eating while completing the education, training, and licensing required to become an Watching Mercy For Animals’ RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist). As an undercover investigation videos, Guarantee that your voice RDN, she worked in a hospital where she saw in particular, made the decision to for animals will carry on. firsthand the struggles faced by people with go vegan obvious and easy. I am diet-related illnesses. This career path and, of Learn more: truly inspired by the passion and course, her love of animals inspired Sue to go MercyForAnimals.org/Will plant-based. She later founded Let’s Meat Less, purpose of the organization and the a nonprofit organization that supports people in multifaceted approach they take in making positive, plant-based food choices. reforming our food system. 4 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2021 ACTION REPORT 01 Feelin’ Grateful More than 75 changemakers activated their networks through our 20/20 Challenge to raise funds for Mercy For Animals last year. We appreciate all of you who participated, including our fabulous board of directors. Your support gives us—and animals—hope. 02 04 Making Moves in Mexico A Bold Measure Mercy For Animals India signed an agreement with India’s leading Our Latin American corporate plant-based public health institute, the George Institute, to establish the Centre program, EligeVeg, helped encourage for One Health Research. This first-of-its-kind center in India will study Sonora Grill Group, a major meat-heavy animal agriculture’s impact on public health. restaurant group in Mexico, to add Nestlé’s delicious plant-based Awesome Burger to its menus. This comes after we kicked off a partnership with Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, last year by promoting its new vegan meat products for foodservice in Latin America. 03 Movers and Shakers 05 Mercy For Animals partnered with recipients of the 2020 People’s Fund for a Launching into Vegan lively panel discussion. The People’s Fund provides grants to Black activists working Johnny Rockets in Brazil launched a vegan burger after encouragement to build a compassionate plant-based food from Mercy For Animals supporters. The mushroom-based patty comes system. Movement leaders shared their with Hellmann’s vegan mayo, guacamole, and vinaigrette dressing. expertise in health, animal law, food relief, Johnny Rockets operates 30 stores in the country. Brazilian chain digital media, and community outreach. Kharina also introduced a vegan burger in its nine stores. SUMMER 2021 COMPASSIONATE LIVING 5 NONVIOLENT direct action By Michael Gagné THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Director of Organizing As Mercy For Animals’ director of organizing, I’m always asking how we can take powerful collective action and relationships, in addition to for animals in ways that increase financial support, to level the our odds of winning change over playing field. NVDA is often how the long haul. movements have answered the question, How do we turn our At Mercy For Animals, we use resources into the power we need a range of people-powered to get what we want? approaches to fulfill our mission.