Focus on Arts and Ecology

Nathan Runkle, the founder of the global farm-animal protection organization Mercy For Animals, gives his take on this “humane economy” in an inspiring and fascinating new memoir, aptly titled Mercy For Animals. Very fun fact: Nathan was also on the ground floor of GFI's launch. 

Nathan spotlights the many new startups that are poised to transform the food industry as we know it, talking at length about clean meat startup Memphis Meats and delving into the work of companies like Perfect Day and Clara Foods, which are using advanced fermentation to produce animal products sans animals. If you’re looking for a guide to who’s-who in the world of food innovation, Nathan’s got you covered. 

Mercy For Animals also makes a compelling and concise case for why clean meat is necessary for the future wellbeing of our planet. As a fan of GFI's work (don't hurt my pride, here), I hope you already know this is an environmental and public health issue as much as it is an animal welfare one. The term “clean meat” is itself a nod to “clean energy,” since this method of production generates significantly less pollution and will require only a fraction of the resources compared to the inputs involved in breeding, feeding, and slaughtering animals.  

As Nathan also points out in Mercy For Animals  clean meat will be of much higher quality from a food-safety standpoint. The CDC reports that pathogens in conventional meat are the most common cause of foodborne illness. Not appetizing. On the flipside, clean meat is free from the rampant bacterial contamination that is common in conventional meat production.

So if you’re looking to study up on the future of food and be entertained along the way — or if you want to share your interest in these topics in an approachable way with friends and family members –– put in your order. Even better? All of Nathan’s proceeds from the book will go directly to Mercy For Animals, so this is a purchase you can feel especially good about!