Our No Foie Gras Campaign was begun on the heels of success in getting restaurants in Philadelphia to stop selling foie gras, a cruel food "delicacy" produced by force-feeding ducks or geese until their livers swell to ten times the normal size. Undercover investigations on foie gras farms revealed birds that had choked to death on their own vomit, birds with punctured throats, and many birds that were so stuffed from the overfeeding that they had trouble breathing or walking around. Most of the foie gras sold in Philadelphia comes from Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York. By HVFG's own admission, mortality rates their are 17 times higher than ducks in standard, non-intensive farms. In addition to the four weeks of force-feeding, HVFG keeps all of its animals indoors for their entire lives in order to increase profits (according to HVFG co-owner Michael Ginor). The largest scientific study ever conducted on foie gras, undertaken by the European Union's Scientific Commission, concluded that "foie gras production, as it is currently practiced, is detrimental to the welfare of birds and should be stopped."

Foie gras production has been condemned by the Pope, the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Dalai Lama. It has also been banned by the Israeli Supreme Court as animal cruelty. A 2006 Zogby poll found that 85% of Pennsylvania residents find foie gras cruel and want it banned. Foie gras has already been banned in Chicago, California, and 16 countries around the world. Bills to ban foie gras have been introduced in New Jersey, New York, and several other states, and in 2006 City Councilman Jack Kelly introduced a bill to ban the sale of foie gras in Philadelphia. The bill has not yet been voted on.

Since the start of our work in the fall of 2005, forty Philadelphia restaurants have put an end to the sale of foie gras and widespread media attention to the issue has been generated- including a front page piece in the Inquirer (as well as numerous other pieces), lengthy interviews on NPR and the Michael Smerconish Show, and coverage in Time Magazine, the Daily News, City Paper, and numerous other local and national publications. In December of 2007 we co-hosted a No Foie Gras Gala that drew over 200 guests and leading animal protection speakers to raise money and awareness in support of the pending bill to ban foie gras in Philadelphia.

We are always in need of support with foie gras demonstrations, contacting restaurants, and contacting City Council reps. Please sign on to our email listserve via the form on the left side of the page for updates on how you can help!

HLP's work against foie gras has included:

Protests and Meetings With Chefs and Restaurant Owners - which have led to 50restaurants declaring that they will no longer serve foie gras, including most of Philadelphia's top-rated restaurants. Only a tiny handful of restaurants still serve this cruel dish.
Professionals Agaisnt Foie Gras - HFP helped launch PAFG, an independent organization of professionals who live, work, and dine in Philadelphia and want foie gras banned. Click here to visit the PAFG website.
Pollutes.com Websites - HLP launched a half-dozen websites spotlighting the pollution caused by Hudson Valley Foie Gras and how restaurants that serve foie gras are supporting this. See below for links to these websites!
Supporting Council Bill 060476- HLP is working to help support the passage of the bill to ban the sale of foie gras. We have gotten hundreds of Center City businesses to sign on in support of the ban, drawn letters of support from local restaunt owners, duck farmers, and vets, and will be launching a major outreach campaign to generate thousands of calls, letters, and emails to Council members when the bill is coming up for a vote.

Important Foie Gras Links

Professionals Against Foie Gras- sign on in support of the bill, send a free fax or email to members of City Council, and learn which restaurants are and are not serving foie gras.

No Foie Gras - learn more about foie gras, scientific evidence on the cruelty of foie gras production, and see photos and videos of foie gras investigations

Pollutes.com Websites - learn about how eating foie gras contribues to the pollution of the Delaware Rivershed.
>>>LondonGrillPollutes.com
>>>MatysonPollutes.com
>>>LeBecFinPollutes.com
>>>LaCroixPollutes.com