11/07/06 Compassionate Labeling

I constantly hear that people have lost connection to the farm, in fact a guest on a recent Rush Limbaugh program left the host speechless over the comment, "We don't need farmers, when we have Safeway ! yet there is a whole group of consumers that have almost a myopic fascination with farming and at their urging new animal compassionate labeling is being touted by retailers like Whole Foods, Chipotle Mexican Grill and groups like the American Humane Society and the Farm Animal Care. Purchasing free-range chicken no longer is the admission ticket to show consumer empathy towards farm animals. Today shoppers can select from labeling that lets allows them draw the line on farm animal treatment. For those who oppose all castration in sheep, there is now the Animal Compassionate label marketed by Whole Foods grocery stores. If castrating a lamb during it's first week of life isn't a hot button there is meat labeled Free Farmed. The Animal Compassionate, Certified Humane, Free Farmed and Animal Welfare Institute's new labeling while confusing in the end ends up labeling the consumer and in add fashion connects them to back the farm and farmer.