Spring into action

Vegetarian Times, March, 2002 by Maria Rabat

Crocuses are not the only sign of winter's passing. Count the Great American Meatout as another harbinger of the season. Held each year on the first day of spring, the Great American Meatout has gained increased support since its inception in 1985, and it bas grown to become the nation's largest annual grass-roots diet education campaign. On March 20th, organizations and communities in all 50 states, as well as in a number of other countries, will join together to celebrate this year's Meatout. Close to 2,000 activities--including dinner receptions, cooking demos, radio spots and TV shows--are scheduled to take place in various locales around the globe.

The Great American Meatout is sponsored in part by Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM), a group founded in 1981 that provides greater public awareness about animal agriculture. Organizers of the Great American Meatout hope to encourage people to kick the meat habit, at least for a day, and explore a more wholesome diet. How's that for putting a spring in your step!

For more information, call (800) MEATOUT, or visit their web site, www.meatout.org.