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Soy and corn are the largest and most destructive monoculture crops in America, though a large amount is used as animal feed. Nonetheless, "veganism" does not

Soy and corn are the largest and most destructive monoculture crops in America, though a large amount is used as animal feed. Nonetheless, "veganism" does not imply good agricultural practices or less money or power — likely the opposite. Do not think of veganism as your local farmers market. Think of it as mostly destructive monoculture farming. Healthy ecosystems require ruminants and other animals and plants to thrive. Modern agriculture is usually split up — barren feed lots, barren corn fields, etc. Regenerative agriculture like what the Savory Institute espouses is what's needed. Vegans are also a great target market and quite lucrative. People who can afford to be vegan will pay higher prices for lower cost goods. I wouldn't be surprised to see lobbying from vegan food companies.

Avshalom 6y ago
Soy and corn in america is the meat industry
- phkahler 6y ago
  Which makes them commodities unless you can upsell them as health foods.
- reedjosh 6y ago
  Yes, and I've started buying grass meats fed from local farms. It does mean that meat is more of a luxury, but I think food should be quality over quantity.
Pyramus 6y ago
> People who can afford to be vegan will pay higher prices for lower cost goods. It's kind of funny how "vegan" has become a marketing term to the extent that vegan food is supposed to be expensive. Vegan food is the cheapest food there is and powers nutrition on a global scale. Think wheat, rice, potatoes, beans, every single vegetable, all fruit, and products made thereof, bread, pasta, noodles, oils, etc. In most parts of the world the standard diet is predominantly plant-based and meat is a luxury. It used to be the same in Europe - my grandparents had meat at most once a week, usually on a Sunday.
- sebmellen 6y ago
  Oh, agreed, for sure. My grandparents were Germans who grew up during the war, and for them meat was seen as a great luxury — even bread was seen as a speciality. But in the US (and I think it is mostly an American phenomenon), veganism has taken on a sort of strange alter ego as a life of expensive vegan donuts and vegan restaurants that charge (no joke) $18 for a small sandwich. So I think it's important to differentiate between the two kinds of veganism — the expensive fad diet kind, and the one borne out of necessity.
- robryan 6y ago
  The expensive bit is that most vegans want to broadly maintain the flavors and textures of a animal products diet without the animal products.

Avshalom 6y ago

Soy and corn in america is the meat industry

phkahler 6y ago
Which makes them commodities unless you can upsell them as health foods.
reedjosh 6y ago
Yes, and I've started buying grass meats fed from local farms. It does mean that meat is more of a luxury, but I think food should be quality over quantity.

Pyramus 6y ago

> People who can afford to be vegan will pay higher prices for lower cost goods. It's kind of funny how "vegan" has become a marketing term to the extent that vegan food is supposed to be expensive. Vegan food is the cheapest food there is and powers nutrition on a global scale. Think wheat, rice, potatoes, beans, every single vegetable, all fruit, and products made thereof, bread, pasta, noodles, oils, etc. In most parts of the world the standard diet is predominantly plant-based and meat is a luxury. It used to be the same in Europe - my grandparents had meat at most once a week, usually on a Sunday.

sebmellen 6y ago
Oh, agreed, for sure. My grandparents were Germans who grew up during the war, and for them meat was seen as a great luxury — even bread was seen as a speciality. But in the US (and I think it is mostly an American phenomenon), veganism has taken on a sort of strange alter ego as a life of expensive vegan donuts and vegan restaurants that charge (no joke) $18 for a small sandwich. So I think it's important to differentiate between the two kinds of veganism — the expensive fad diet kind, and the one borne out of necessity.
robryan 6y ago
The expensive bit is that most vegans want to broadly maintain the flavors and textures of a animal products diet without the animal products.