More Bison, More “Flexitarian” Lifestyles

The growing mania for high-protein diets coupled with a demand for healthier foods has been a boon for the nation’s bison producers.

The commercial bison slaughter last year was a record 34,444 animals, according to USDA figures --- a 36-percent increase from last year, though still a drop in the bucket compared with cattle.

A major factor behind this trend: Media Mogul Ted Turner. Many consumers are getting their first taste of buffalo compliments of his restaurant chain. In the two years since the chain was launched, 19 restaurants have opened in Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee, Colorado, Kentucky and North Carolina. Another 18 are slated to open this year.

Bison producers may also profit from another trend that apparently is being fueled by the same demands for high-protein fare and healthier eating: flexitarianism, a sort of quasi-vegetarianism. More consumers adopting near-vegetarian diets without completely giving up their passion for meat.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m a bad vegetarian, that I’m not strict enough or good enough,” said Christy Pugh 28-year-old flexitarian bookkeeper. “I really like vegetarian food but I’m just not 100 percent committed.”

Posted by Jim Langcuster at March 19, 2004 09:10 AM | TrackBack