While browsing my regular websites for news this morning I noticed that the Tennessean has launched a new website devoted to the Middle Tennessee environmental topics, named TennesseeGreen.com . I wonder if I can find anything on the site about how a vegetarian diet will help cut out a large portion of greenhouse gases. Honestly, I haven’t dug very deep into the site yet, but I will at my first opportunity. I expect many trolls to frequent the forums included on the site, it should make for good entertainment. Still, happy to see The Tennessean contributing to the green community.

I wrote a few days ago about Hallmark Meat Packing, a slaughterhouse in California, that was using downer cows in their meat production. It seems form an article posted today on the Tennessean’s website that meat from this plant has made it into the Tennessee school system. Local officials have ordered the meat pulled because downer cows have a higher risk of being infected with mad cow disease. I can stop wondering why people will still insist on eating beef no matter what the risk. Not even to think they feed it to their children. Don’t come here with that “The USDA inspects it.” line, do you TRUST the USDA? Why didn’t they halt the shipment of the beef? Shutdown the slaughterhouse?

I have been to the Green Hills Whole Foods probably over 30 times since opening, that’s alot for the drive I make to get there. Soon (two years isn’t really soon, but I’ll take what I can get) my drive will be shorter. It has been announced that Whole Foods will be opening a new location in the McEwen Drive area of Coolsprings. Opening date has been set for Fall of 2009.

Anyone who has read this site knows that I am a huge Whole Foods fan, we have driven to Atlanta to get groceries at Whole Foods. My mother-in-law lives there so I can’t say that was the only reason to go but it was a big part of the trip. Now with a new location in Coolsprings I will actually have to consider getting a part-time job there. I have always thought about one since learning how they pay insurance for their employees and have great stock options. I do hope they will not close the nearby Wild Oats like was done when the Green Hills Whole Foods opened. I enjoy my Sunday nights in that store, the staff is too friendly (I’ll make exception for one or two people) and it has a small store feel that I enjoy, I know small-store feel is not going to be had with any Whole Foods but that doesn’t mean I can’t like it too.

I stumbled upon a story on Channel 5’s website about veganism. It is not written by anyone locally and I’m not sure if Channel 5 ran a story recently on vegans but the article is there nonetheless. The last paragraph is a little off I believe.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6833285

There is an article on veg children in The Tennessean. Something I really didn’t expect to see.

The Nashville City Paper reports today that PETA, in a effort to curb the use of chicken suppliers who use inhumane slaughter techniques, has purchased 160 shares of the Nashville-based restaurant. I don’t call myself a stock market guru, but 160 shares doesn’t seem large enough a portion to have much control, perhaps they plan on buying more later. PETA also owns shares of YUM! brand, which owns Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a target of a widely-publicized campaign to stop the cruel techniques used by their suppliers. Already comments have been made that PETA is trying to make O’Charley’s a vegan restaurant, not the case. Of course, anytime PETA is involved you will find a few insecure meat-eaters.