Celebrity Chef Paula Deen Delivers 25,000 Pounds Of Meat To Food Bank

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by Michael Parrish DuDell November 17, 2008
Categories: Eats, People
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Paula Deen — the Food Network star who serves up dinner with a side of angioplasty — recently traveled to Washington D.C. to team up with Smithfield Foods and donate 25,000 pounds of ham to the Capital Area Food Bank.

If you’re not familiar with Smithfield Foods, they are the largest pork manufacturer in the world and kill almost 30 million pigs each year. According to PETA, “Smithfield plays with pigs’ genetics and pumps the animals so full of drugs that most of Smithfield’s pigs are very sick, many can barely walk, and about one in five die before they can be sent to slaughter.”

About the donation, Paula said: “Listen to this. Do you know how long that 25,000 pounds of food is going to last? You know hunger is a constant thing.”

But here’s the thing: what Deen doesn’t realize is that supporting companies like Smithfield is actually counter-productive to ending world hunger.  It’s been estimated that if Americans reduce the amount of meat consumption by just 10%, it would free up enough land to grow 12 million tons of grain -enough to save the millions of children and adults starving to death on our planet each year.

So while we appreciate the fact that Paula wanted to help feed the hungry, sometimes it’s more than the thought that counts — especially when the thought involves 25,000 pounds of environmentally-destructive food.

via: news8.net


Categories: Eats, People
Tags: .
  • http://BrainyBlonde.com erin

    I thought she delivered 25,300 (I’m guessing she’s pushing 300 lbs herself. And nope I don’t feel bad saying if someone is too fat. I’ve been told forever “You’re too thin You’re too thin” by my fat older relatives and I’m a size 6. Once I get my site GetThinOrDie.com running people will realize either they get off their big fat butts and get in shape… or die.

  • The Science Commenter

    Erin,

    I couldn’t agree more that she is an example of why we should be promoting Yves meatless ham versus Spam.

    However, I caution you in using the word “thin,” to automatically describe the picture of health. “Lean,” is a better term to use, as it describes body composition versus weight. One only has to look at some female body builders who are 5’2″ and weigh in at 175lb. to realize this.

    There are lots of skinny people with unhealthy percentages of body fat. There are also individuals with skinny legs, small butts, who look like they are in a 2nd trimester for pregnancy, thus having horrible abdominal obesity, although they have normal BMI.

    Waist to hip ratio, as well as body shape are more accurate predictors of health. Women who were a size 12-14, but with waist sizes around 6-8 (i.e. a very small waist, but wide hips) have actually been shown to have better lipid profiles than women with smaller hips and legs and have less risk of heart disease.

  • http://BrainyBlonde.com e

    TSC,

    Very good points. And GetFitorDie.com was already taken – but here’s my issue. My large relatives all tell me they’re fit (some are close to 300 lbs and trust me -it’s not muscle) I feel like sometimes thin is the only word that computes with these people (and yes some my own family members) to get them to seriously work out eat right and lose some pounds. But you are right. There are body builders who aren’t “thin” but are in awesome shape. But I’m afraid they are far outweighed (pun intended ;) by the fat folks I can’t help but see every day I leave my house… GetLeanOrDie.com might be better…. And I do agree there are the tiny legged/armed women who look as if they’re going to give birth any minute (and some men I see like that too ;)

    I might be lean and lanky and as I get older (God hard to say that word ;) I work hard to maintain a flat strong stomach but it’s not easy and I think *I* eat healthy. Sometimes I think people need something extreme. Especially in our culture… Like get your ass of that couch and work out now you fat slob or you’re going to die before you’re 40! (You know boot camp for unfit people) but I’m still open to another word other than thin… I’ll go look up lean and see if it’s taken ;) Thanks!

    E

  • Krystine

    …has anyone actually watched this woman cook? She made a chicken casserole once that was loaded with cheese, cream and butter and then put dollops of butter the size of those extra large marbles about 1″ apart all over the top.

  • http://BrainyBlonde.com e

    yes there are a few of my relatives who watch her religiously and eat all her foods. my aunt, her biggest fan, was recently diagnosed with diabetes. i know people have a choice – but it’s tough when we’re bombarded with this kind of crap.

    i still think it’s highly ironic that she donated PIG…

  • VeggieTart

    Do tell how long 25,000 pounds of pigs’ flesh is going to last, and then contrast that with how long 25,000 pounds of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and nuts will last.

  • Bob

    Well, I know how much land 25,000 lbs of pig takes up, how many acres does 25,000 lbs of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans and nuts take up?

    And the comment from PETA about Smithfield and genetics / sick pigs is categorically untrue. Don’t believe hype. Tarheel, Smithfield’s largest plant, has been in horrific labor negotiations with the UFCW for years. Don’t you think if the pigs reallyw ere sick and abused they’d be showing camera footage from union employees nationwide? C’mon people, green is great, but so is common sense.

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