McDonald's Intransigence on the Plant-Based Burger

In today's SF Chronicle, Kevin Fisher-Paulson, the charming (but not vegetarian or vegan) columnist, mentions that McDonald's does not have a vegetarian alternative to a Bic Mac, so he pays $6.00 for three pieces of bread with lettuce and cheese for his son.

In the same newspaper today there's a letter from a Karl Gustaffson of Half Moon Bay saying "Keep it real, KFC."    Apparently there was a blurb in the Business section about this yesterday, saying that Kentucky Fried Chicken is testing plant-based nuggets and boneless sings. 

Karl Gusaffson says, "Colonel Sander' suit, hair and goatee are white, the color of chicken meat--not green, the color of plants. Count me as someone who will not be lining up to try this vegan take on fried chicken."

Do you think he's making fun of people who think that way?

As for McDonald's refusal to have a plant-based burger, what's wrong with them?

"Replace meat, dairy with plant-based food alternatives" says Patti Breitman of Fairfax

"Replace meat, dairy with plant-based food alternatives" says Patti Breitman of Fairfax in a letter to the editor in today's SF Chronicle.

She was responding to "Point Reyes plan seeks to aid ranchers, limit elk" from page one, August 9) about extending ranching in Point Reyes.

OPINION // LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor: Switch to plant-based foods

San Francisco Chronicle Aug. 18, 2019

Comments

In this Nov. 20, 2018, file photo Romaine Lettuce still sits on the shelves as a shopper walks through the produce area of an Albertsons market in Simi Valley, Calif. Avoid fast food, eat vegetables and exercise. It sounds like generic health advice, but they're tips supposedly tailored to my DNA profile.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Regarding “Point Reyes plan seeks to aid ranchers, limit elk” (Page One, Aug. 9): Extending ranching in Point Reyes for 20 years is shortsighted and wrong! A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an international group of scientists pulled together by the United Nations, recommended that we all cut back on meat and dairy in order to slow climate catastrophe. It is time for every one of us to take personal responsibility for severe global food and water shortages that are already starting and predicted to increase as the climate continues to be disrupted. Replacing meat and dairy with plant-based alternatives uses far less water and contributes far fewer greenhouse emissions. Point Reyes is going in the wrong direction if they allow more ranching on this federal land. We can counter this nonsense with our own plant-based food choices.

Patti Breitman, Fairfax

An Open Letter to Justin Phillips on Supporting Black-Owned Restaurants

Here's a letter I got off  just now (8:05 am Friday, August 16, 2019) to Justin Phillips, whose new column in the SF Chronicle has held my interest.  Today's column was on the need for more diners in black-owned restaurants.

Dear Mr. Phillips,

I would really like to support black-owned restaurants, and I'd really like black-owned restaurants to support the plant-based revolution so important at this time of climate change.  

When I was in New York City, I ate at Seasoned Vegan in Harlem.  I've also read the book Sistah Vegan:  Black Female Vegans Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society.  I think it's notable that the chef-in-residence at MOAD, Bryant Terry, is vegan and has written a vegan cookbook.

Could you write articles on supporting both black-owned restaurants and the planet?

Your faithful (and vegan) reader,

Tina Martin