11/04/2025
"I think few of us realize how ignorant we are. We know the names of Hollywood celebrities, but have no idea the difference between a cow and a heifer, or a hen and a pullet. The problem with profound ignorance is that it makes us infinitely more gullible to lies and deception. Welcome to modern America. And what do we fear most? That which we know least about." - Joel Salatin, Beyond Labels
This statement comes in context with food labeling on our grocery store shelves. The other day I read a chicken breast package at the grocery store that had "Fed vegetarian diet" and "Free range" written in bold letters across the front. Both of these sound easy enough to understand, but for commercial production poultry let's break it down.
'Free range' - meaning it is able to move about with the ability to stretch all their appendages to their full extension (and scratch for whatever it can find to eat, including insect proteins, aka not vegetarian. Then, 'fed vegetarian diet' (which I can dive into on another day about the deeper, darker truth of this) but for today it means the birds were fed grains to supplement for their insufficient amount of calories from insect proteins.
The point of all this? Don't get caught up on labels at the grocery store. They most likely won't mean what you hope they mean. Instead, find a friendly local farmer who will sell you the real thing, (real free range!) and may even break the ignorance train.
Finally, the term ignorance is not derogatory, but rather just a recognition that we aren't educated about a specific topic. I was, and in many ways, still ignorant to food nutrition. I recognize this, but any piece of information I feel will be beneficial to my readers, I enjoy passing along!
Much Love,
Dr. Sarah Pendergest, McPen Farm
502-265-1220
