LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A spring with no meat

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To the editor:

With a number of crippling nor’easters battering our east coast in quick succession, we all looked forward to March 20, the first day of spring, with balmy weather and flowers in bloom.

It’s also a superb occasion to replace animal foods on our menu with healthy, delicious, eco-friendly vegetables, legumes, grains and fruits.

The shift toward healthy eating is everywhere. Fast food chains like Chipotle, Quiznos, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell and Wendy’s all offer plant-based options. Major publications and popular websites tout vegan recipes.

Google chief executive Eric Schmidt views replacement of meat by plant protein as the world’s No. 1 technical trend. The financial investment community is betting on innovative startups, like Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods. Even Tyson Foods’ new chief executive sees plant protein as the meat industry’s future.

Global Meat News reports that nearly half of consumers are reducing meat intake. Indeed, per capita, red meat consumption has dropped by a whopping 25 percent in the past 40 years.

Every one of us can celebrate spring by checking out the rich collection of plant-based dinners and desserts in our supermarket’s frozen food, dairy and produce sections. An internet search on vegan foods brings rich rewards.

Niles Neusbaum

Niles Neusbaum

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