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.

SoFlo Vegans Podcast

Episode 3 · Jul 16, 2018 · 32 min

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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.