When I moved to Asheville 12 years ago, I was a dedicated vegan. That decision was primarily motivated by a concern for animal welfare and utter confusion around the many claims made on grocery store labels. How could I truly know the animals had a good life?
My first job in the area was as a market assistant at the River Arts District Farmers Market. Week after week, I watched farmers haul in their harvests and lay out beautiful tables of veggies: palettes of this place. Vendors also sold all kinds of pasture-raised meats and dairy, and I was particularly enticed by the farm-fresh eggs customers consistently arrived early to claim.
A turning point moment in my veganism came one Wednesday afternoon at the market—I’ll always remember it. I watched all the perfectly punctual customers excitedly tucking cartons of eggs under their arms and, gosh, was I craving an omelet. I gingerly approached the Gaining Ground Farm booth when no one was in line and asked the farmer if there were any eggs left.
She happily pulled out a dozen. Before taking the carton, I mustered the courage to ask her if the chickens were truly raised outside and treated well. She squared her shoulders, looked me straight in the eye and said, “Absolutely. They have a good life.” The sureness and sincerity of that moment, of getting to speak directly to the person responsible for raising my food for the first time in my life, truly changed everything…