If Lightlife imitation meat is produced by ConAgra, by eating it, aren't you still supporting factory farming?

Question

...OR is it the other way around? By supporting the major corporations' attempts to promote vegetarianism are we therefore bringing vegetarianism into the mainstream?

I am debating this one. Usually, I avoid anything that is made by ConAgra (and it is a lot!!!), but I have never thought about it from this different perspective. What is your take on it?

Answer 1

I think the issue is not what we eat but how it is delivered to us. If you shop at a supermarket (Safeway, Publix, Albertson's etc)
you are supporting vendors who supply to most of the country and must use farm factory tactics. ConAgra is one of the nastiest and have found they have their grimey paws everywhere. So, my point is to shop at smaller markets like the old days. Go to the open market if your city has one. Buy local.

Answer 2

Hey christina,
Well it turns out alot of the veg friendly companies are actually owned by larger corporations. Phillip Morris owns the Boca line. Here is a page that shows all the company mergers etc that produce are vegan foods:

http://www.endgame.org/organics.html

I thought it was really interesting though hardly surprising, and its up for debate in our house whether or not to use these products. You can look at it this way: By purchasing said products you are showing them there is a market for veg friendly foods, which in return will cause them to make more. However, in the same, ya! We are contributing to god only knows what else with these corporations. Surely not things I want to support. The sad thing is the little guy most often times will get bought out by these bigger corporations. I wish I had a clear answer to this question, however I don't..Other than perhaps cutting down on these imitation and proccessed foods. Sometimes we have to go for convenience though. The real bummer is, I love Lightlife products..I'd say its the best out there right now.

Answer 3

You've got so many good responses that I almost didn't add my own here. It is nearly impossible to avoid buying something that doesn't hold hands on some level with the meat industry. Most restaraunts and markets have animal products although thankfully there are a few exceptions. Buying vegetarian or vegan products shows these companies that there is money in them. Sometimes I make it a point to thank an establishment for offering vegetarian options, or inquire ask to why they don't have more meatless things I might choose from. The bottom line for these corporations is CA$H.

Answer 4

Supporting vegan business is an ideal solution, of course. There are many cool vegan online shops, I recommend everyone to look for those, and order from there when you can. But for most of us, 100% vegan grocery shops are not near by. The way I see it, buying a vegan or a vegetarian product from a big company (even if this is an evil company) shows them that ppl are looking for alternatives. These companies are driven by profit, and as a consumer you can force them to change by demanding cruelty-free products. If more ppl did this, I believe these companies would put more energy into vegan solutions. This in turn would make more ppl notice vegan products and maybe they would be more willing to consider a cruelty free lifestyle?… I know many ppl say that they could never be vegans because they wouldn’t know what to eat. Maybe if they saw all these products available they wouldn’t be so unwilling?

Having said this, I have to confess I would never eat in McDonalds, their only veg option is probably coated in animal grease. :|

(btw, I don’t know what ConAgra is, I live in Sweden)

Answer 5

For me any support of these types of corporations is wrong and not something I want to do.

This is why I buy from local small farmers and ranchers. I also make sure to pay a fair price so the farmer can make ends meet. I go to them and pick up everything I need for 6 months to a year and share the space in the trunk with other people in the community.

The end result is good healthy food at a fair price enabling someone to make a living without bowing at the feet of major corporation or the almighty dollar or damaging the environment or animal kingdom.

Answer 6

Personally I don't eat the imitation meats except for Amy's veggie burgers, mostly because I've never eaten meat so I don't really see any reason to load up on imitation products. Not sure how to answer your question though, there would be arguments for either side. On one hand, you could say it's bad to support that company, but on the other hand you could say that by buying their cruelty-free products you are working to change that company. I have seen this happen with wal mart over the years. After they began distributing products from organic companies it really took off and they really brought a lot of business and recognition to small organic companies like Annie's Homegrown.

I kind of see the people who say they only shop at organic co-ops, etc, as elitist. Sure, it works for them but that kind of thing isn't accessible to as many people. I feel like by supporting change in more accessible companies it will have a wider impact.

Answer 7

I am of the opinion that by buying vegan foods from major corporations we are showing big business that there is a need for more humane, healthier foods. The more successful a product is the more money they will put into marketing it. The more they market it the more exposure it gets and the more likley it is that people will realize that you can enjoy delicious, healthier, cruelty-free foods. I try to support small companies as much as I can and I think that that's very important, but I do believe in sending a message to big business with my dollars.

Answer 8

I personally don't eat their imitation meat, but by buying it, you are showing them that there is a profitable market for vegetarian options and you are encouraging the growth of the meat-substitute industry.
It may or may not have an affect on the factory farming industry. But by supporting the meat-substitute industry you are helping towards more options for vegetarians and vegans everywhere.
In this aspect, it is very beneficial.

Answer 9

Indirectly, but it is certainly better than eating actual beef/chicken/pork/fish/etc. etc.