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THOUGHT OF THE DAY: WIC Program- Budget savior or factory farming abettor?

March 7th, 2005 at 05:53 pm

Since we're a one income family with young children, we automatically qualify for the WIC program. It's a blessing since dairy farming has pushed higher prices for standard staples (milk, eggs and the liks). Wellllll.... since I've recently switched over to the greener side of the playing field (think leafy greens, beans, grains, and fruits lol), I've abandoned milk, eggs and have opted for soy & substitutes. My kids haven't adapted well to mommy's new "cooking style"- and well... i'm not too familiar with how to turn meat eaters to vegetarians lol. The WIC program won't allow vegetarian staples ..which disturbs me in a way. Here's why:


Vegetarian Argument: If you consume milk, you're supporting the veal industry. Cows are given hormones to produce more milk than their natural amounts.. and well.. once they can't do that... ::shudder::
If you're like me and wonder just how many chickens are out there producing the countless dozens of eggs lining the supermarket dairy section... check out peta's take on these working class citizens. I'll not trash the industry as i'm sure people make profits but I for one will not support it.

Frugal / Financial Argument: Here in NYC, a gallon of milk on average will cost $3.50. Eggs have gone up to 2.00+ and cheese... well, don't get me started on that LOL. In simplest layman terms, WIC saves the average family over 100 bucks a month in dairy items alone... you can't beat that, right?

But what about those poor overworked chickens?

And skinny bessie who makes milk that won't ever feed her happy calf (Recommended READ:Ted hughes' poem by the same name)??

LOL sorry.. had to vent.. perhaps i'll come up with a valid argument to sum it all up later on today Smile

-AW

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “THOUGHT OF THE DAY: WIC Program- Budget savior or factory farming abettor?”

  1. Anonymous Says:
    March 7th, 2005 at 09:34 pm 1110231298
    1110231298

    go vegetarianism! (or veganism, really!) congrats! Smile Smile

    what about organic milk, cheese, and eggs? are those products just as bad as the mass-produced ones? I admit, I don't know much about it. I have been clinging to my dairy/egg products since soy doesn't really agree with my system, but today someone recommended I give up dairy and see if my migraines stop....so I may be down your path as well.

    good luck with the kiddos!

  2. Anonymous Says:
    March 8th, 2005 at 11:38 am 1110281929
    1110281929

    Thanks! Smile After I wrote the entry, I phoned the WIC office and they confirmed the bad news... since organics and soy products are still costly (you'd think in our American economy of scale it would go down by now!!) , WIC will not pay for any other products. Besides, the dairy industry receives some subsidizing... and the government must keep it all connected somehow. Kudos to the farmers out there for their hard work... but until I know these poor animals are treated a little better, I won't eat any meat or dairy. Smile
    GO VEGAN!!!

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