Letters: Let’s move nation away from chickens, eggs

The U.S. egg industry is reeling from a colossal outbreak of avian flu, mostly among egg-laying chickens.

The effects are far-reaching, from disposing of millions of potentially infected bird carcasses to job losses and rapidly rising egg prices. More than 40 countries have restricted U.S. poultry imports.

Although the precise cause remains uncertain, the horrendous conditions in factory farms make egg and chicken production extremely vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

A number of innovative companies offer plant-based alternatives that mimic the taste, texture and cooking properties of eggs and chicken. They’re in the frozen food section of your supermarket.

Many of us favor replacing polluting fossil energy sources with clean, renewable ones. That takes concerted national action. But every one of us has the power to effect that same transition for our food sources every time we shop for food.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 7:32 PM.