This year’s theme centered around change… and that’s exactly what caring people around the world set out to create! A thousand communities throughout all 50 U.S. states and 29 other countries welcomed spring with
colorful events, marking the 25th annual observance of
the world’s largest grassroots diet education campaign.

Outreach activities included leafleting, information tables, exhibits, lectures, video screenings, feed-ins, cooking demonstrations, festivals, walks, and more. Visitors pledged to “kick the meat habit” on March 20th (first day of spring) and to explore a healthy, compassionate plant-based diet.

Enthusiasm among participants was high! Spreading the message of compassion with this year’s theme “Change Your Diet – Change the World!”, coordinators distributed more than 100,000 handouts in total. Each colorful postcard-sized card offers a free Veg Starter Guide and Meatout Mondays, weekly e-mails with vegan recipes, product suggestions, health news, and inspiration.

Throughout the U.S. exciting developments increased activist momentum.

California residents took part in “Operation Prop 2 Follow-Through,” advocating throughout the state for a vegan diet. Culminating at the end of March, the campaign was launched in response to last November's passage of Proposition 2, requiring that animals raised for food have enough space to turn around and spread their limbs.

Billboards and bus ads carried the message “You favored Prop 2 – Now go vegan too!” and massive leafleting and tabling took place throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, as well as the San Francisco Bay area. More than 27,000 handouts were distributed. The campaign also implemented e-leafleting, encouraging 11,000 people on MySpace to watch "Meet Your Meat" online. Visit the website at www.LiveVegan.org.

A huge victory was announced on Meatout Day… yet another reason to celebrate! After working with COK, MFA, and APRL,and with support from FARM, BOCA released a statement announcing that their products will be egg-free by the end of this year.

Meatout 2009 received global coverage by Supreme TV. Interviews around the world document people pledging to “Go Veg” for Meatout Day. Particularly noteworthy, leading climatologist, Dr. James Hansen (Chief of NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies) made his pledge in support of Meatout. Watch the video.

Feed-ins were popular this year with more than a hundred food-related events. In the nation’s capital, FARM hosted the Meatout Feed-In for Peace, promoting a non-violent diet to thousands of attendees at a massive peace rally with literature, signs, videos, and free vegan food. Check out the report with photos and video.

Festivals featuring live bands, speakers, exhibits, video screenings, health screenings, food vendors, cooking demonstrations, vegan food samples, and games were held across the U.S. The Seattle VegFest attracted thousands of visitors. Other large festivals took place in Asheville, Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, San Francisco, and several other cities.

Many communities used creativity to capture public attention. Boulder hosted a large display with life-size models of industrial farming techniques, screenings of meat industry practices, and giant charts of nutritional information about veganism. In the style of a 60’s sit-in, Philadelphia folks put on a Meatout Veg-In. In Orlando, the “vegan police” held a "steakout" with Happy The Cow offering delicious vegan food samples.

Video screenings educated audiences from all walks of life. Meatout coordinators teamed up with the creators of A Delicate Balance - The Truth to host screenings throughout March and beyond. The Australian documentary reveals the connections between animal agriculture and climate change.

Seventy-five universities participated with information tables, video screenings, feed-ins, and vegan cafeteria lines. Participating universities include Alabama, American (DC), Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, and many more. Youth outreach took place in dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools.

Nearly 100 health food stores and restaurants displayed exhibits and offered special discounts. Food manufacturers supported this year’s observance by generously donating vegan product samples for events. Dozens of humane societies, animal sanctuaries, and yoga centers offered free Veg Starter Guides and recipes to visitors. PETA also joined in on the action by including Meatout in their KFC protests.

Letters to editors carried the Meatout message in more than 100 newspapers nationwide, while media interviews further raised public awareness. Hundreds of bus ads and a dozen billboards have been placed in major cities. Governors and mayors issued special proclamations declaring March 20th as Meatout and encouraging consumption of plant-based foods.

International participation was a great success with events in 29 other countries! Meatout received exceptional support in France and Germany, hosting Meatout websites complete with dozens of registered events. Canada hosted a wide array of activities throughout universities, public parks, community centers, and restaurants. Two dozen events took place in India, including rallies, lectures, feed-ins, and more. Croatia featured giant billboards and massive feed-ins. Israeli activists held numerous observances in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Other participating countries include Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, UK, and Zambia.

What's next? Earth Day is April 22nd! Request an Earth Day Pack with handouts and stickers.

 

Special thanks to the dedicated coordinators,
generous food manufacturers, and exceptional sponsors!

 

Meatout 2009 Sponsors:

Meatout 2009 Product Sponsors:

Meatout 2009 Promotional Sponsors: