2 posts tagged “consumer advocacy”

Secretary Vilsack, Please don't make people the perpetual guinea pigs to greed-driven corporations. Even if you don't see the risk to yourself, please respect our thoughtful consideration and comments before throwing all caution to the wind. Some of these actions are irretrievable/undoable/permanent. Help humans advance by not sacrificing the ecosystem in which we share. Respect the thousands and thousands that have repeatedly reached out through this arcane labrynthine system to tell you STOP Genetically Engineering Our Food! Your rights to experiment (and profit) end where our lives begin.

Thank you for the reply to my letter concerning my husband's and my recent meal at Applebee's. 

I would like to better explain that we eat out 4-6 times per week.  We like variety, like many other consumers.  Applebee's has 2 locations that are convenient to us.  One location we enjoy visiting because there is an excellent server there and the atmosphere is friendly.  The other is closer to our house, and we have eaten there 2-3 times before because of its location and relatively-late hours.

On the recent visit, the menu had changed.  The vegetarian pizza was not available.  As a consumer, I want choice.  The choices you presented in your email might have been available if we had thought to bring the matter to the attention of a manager.  FYI: I don't like the idea of paying the higher cost for an entree that would normally have meat.  Think of it as an added bonus of being vegetarian--you get to save money on a regular basis and splurge on nice things.

Well, because I was not in the mood for mozzarella sticks (which are available in every other establishment in town), I asked our waiter what he could recommend.  I have worked in restaurants and know how important the waiter is as the first representative of business.  I know that they have an understanding of what the kitchen might be able to make--or they can go ask.  I asked our waiter if they kitchen might be able to prepare a burrito (using the ingredients that are stocked and used for other items on the menu).  He didn't think so but went to the back to ask.  Understand, I have no issue with our waiter.

What he suggested were the nachos, a salad without meat, and quesadillas.  We shrugged at those unoriginal offerings and asked about the vegetarian pizza.  He inquired of another waiter (maybe dining room mgr?) who said the veg'n pizza was not available.

We made do; we did not get up and leave.  We ordered the nachos (with beans instead of ground meat), and quesadillas (with mushrooms requested inside).  These items were good because the kitchen had made them good.

My letter to Guest Relations was to suggest that the menu be designed with more vegetarian options that all Applebee kitchens and staff are made aware of.  And the reason I would go out of my way to suggest such a thing is for your benefit as well as mine, because plant-based food (using plant foods as the predominant ingredients) are better for the environment, and for one's health.  Check it out if you don't believe me--I've been vegetarian for so long, I had stopped checking the scientific community's opinion.  Now, even the American Dietetic Association supports it as a viable diet.  See for yourself. 1

To reiterate, it would be to your benefit as well as mine, to prepare a menu that offers "an overall healthy, well-balanced approach to dining."

Sincerely,
Mrs. Mari Vega

1. American Dietetic Association (2003, June).  Vegetarian Diets.  ADA Reports, Vol. 103, No. 6.  Abstract retrieved 17 Mar 2008 from ADA website www.eatright.org