Animal Rights
Ingrid Newkirk (PETA Co-Founder) on 38 Years of Animal Rights, Plus Green Bar Kitchen's Origin Story | Ep 003 | SoFlo Vegans Podcast
Sean sits down with PETA co-founder and president Ingrid Newkirk for a wide-ranging conversation on nearly four decades of animal rights activism, followed by an interview with Charles Grippo, owner and chef of Fort Lauderdale's Green Bar Kitchen, on the family health crisis that led him to open one of South Florida's first all-vegan restaurants.
Topics Covered
- Why Newkirk founded PETA in 1980: a response to the "injustice" of animals being disregarded simply because they've been labeled 'animals'
- PETA's philosophy of showing people the cruelty behind closed doors (factory farms, labs, fur production) rather than arguing abstractly
- Fur-industry tipping points Newkirk points to: Donna Karan, Michael Kors, and Donatella Versace all dropping fur
- Her three-word activism advice: "Never be silent" -- and why she ignores trolls but always tries to re-educate people with genuine misconceptions
- PETA's go-to resources: its 30-second issue videos, the Vegan Starter Kit, and classroom dissection alternatives
- How a family member's coma and recovery led Charles Grippo and his partner Elena to launch a food truck, then Green Bar Kitchen, as a fully vegan restaurant
- Green Bar Kitchen's approach to converting skeptical, meat-eating customers with familiar-tasting dishes (Impossible Burger, Field Roast Coconut Burger, GBK Deluxe Burger)
- Grippo's advice to plant-based restaurant owners: know your demographic, expect a difficult labor market, and be patient
In the News This Episode
- Market research firm Innova reported a 62% worldwide increase in plant-based product claims between 2013 and 2017
- The plant-based tempeh market was projected to reach $5.8 billion in value by 2026
- A new vegan "Egg Scramblet" made from pumpkin seeds, turmeric, garlic powder, and black salt launched via Milk Guys
About the Guest
Ingrid Newkirk co-founded PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) in 1980 and serves as its president. Charles Grippo is the owner and chef of Green Bar Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale, a 100% plant-based restaurant.