One of the newest foodie trends in Washington, DC is cupcakes. There are cupcake shops, cupcake tupperware containers, cupcake companies on wheels and cupcakes you can follow on Facebook and Twitter. Last Thursday I walked by a cupcake shop and decided to stop in with a few of my colleagues. I noticed that this particular store carried “Vegan” Cupcakes and I was quite interested in hearing about them.
I asked the store employee to tell me about his vegan cupcakes. His response was, “Well ma’am, I can assure you that no animals were hurt in the making of these cupcakes.” I let his comment sink in and told him I would be back after lunch to try a cupcake.
When my colleagues and I left the store we started discussing the conversation I had just had with this gentleman. Unfortunately his interpretation was that farmers harm their animals in some way and that eating vegan cupcakes was the only way that you could ensure that you were not eating a product that was harming animals.
As a farmer myself I could not let this gentleman continue to tell customers this incorrect information. I knew that it was important for me to go back to the store and educate him about how farmers and ranchers treat their animals humanely. He needed to know that animal products like milk and eggs, that are used as main ingredients in his cupcakes, came from animals that farmers take very good care of and treat with respect.
When my colleagues and I went back to the store, he immediately recognized us and was glad we were back for cupcakes. I told him that I was eager to try some cupcakes but that I had a simple request. I explained to him that my family and I raise dairy animals and we take the upmost care of them, as do ALL farmers and ranchers. I asked him that the next time that someone asked about the vegan cupcakes to instead tell them that they contained “no animal products.” I explained to him that he was misguiding customers because no animals were harmed in the making of ANY cupcakes because America’s Farmers and Ranchers work hard to make it their livelihood to produce the safest food supply in the world!!
Overhearing our conversation was the store manager. Her response to me was that indeed animals are mistreated on farms. At the time, she was not as receptive as the gentleman was to me. As the store was getting busy and the line of customers was out the door, we did not have the chance to further discuss this. When I got back to work I was compelled to call the store and get her name so that I could write her about my experience and share with her the importance of agriculture. When I called I wound up talking to her and she later asked if I was the customer that wanted to talk about the vegan cupcakes.
She asked me to tell her a little more about my story and how I could help her accurately depict agriculture in her store. I was in awe and was stunned and eager to share my story with her. We had a great 15 minute discussion about American Agriculture. I thought it was great that she wanted to listen and hear my story. I feel confident that she is now more aware of how farmers and ranchers care for their livestock and will help to accurately depict us in her store. I can only imagine the number of future customers that will be educated about agriculture now that I shared my story.
I learned a good lesson that day and I am more confident in my ability to share with others the story of agriculture. Make it your mission to share your story as often as you can and together we will help correct the misconceptions of agriculture.
Enjoying a tasty cupcake,
Julie
