United Poultry Concerns cohosted our Third Annual Conscious Eating Conference in Berkeley, California on Sunday, April 6, 2014. We had a record turnout this year with 171 attendees. Six speakers from across the country gave informative presentations, and exhibitors provided valuable educational materials. Participants were treated to an organic, vegan continental breakfast including tasty cinnamon buns, a delicious catered organic, vegan Mexican lunch of tamales, and scrumptious cookies, chocolates, and other treats.

Speakers included Karen Davis, PhD, founder & president of United Poultry Concerns, bestselling author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, CEO & cofounder of Beyond Meat, Ethan Brown, Chicken Run Rescue cofounder Mary Britton Clouse, Free from Harm’s executive director Robert Grillo, and Animal Place’s advocacy & education director, Marji Beach. All of the speakers presented their deeply-informed perspectives on why an animal-free diet is the most sustainable and humane choice, and a closing panel featured the speakers in a lively Question & Answer session with the audience.

This year, we introduced Roundtable Discussions over the lunch hour. Four breakout sessions, hosted by experts in their field, dealt with specific issues in a more intimate setting. Topics included “How can we advocate most effectively for chickens and other farmed animals,” “Engaging youth in schools,” and “How to start a farmed animal sanctuary.”

United Poultry Concerns is deeply grateful to our cosponsors, Animal Place and Berkeley Organization for Animal Advocacy, for helping to make this year’s Conscious Eating Conference the best one ever. We look forward to next year and to having you with us!