AUDIO: Burger Chain Just Says No to Drugs in Meat
Hans Hess is a man who put his money where his mouth is -- literally. After working on Capitol Hill, he became alarmed by reports that showed the negative effects of feeding antibiotics to healthy livestock, including beef (see "You Want Superbugs With That?"). He couldn't find a burger joint that guaranteed an antibiotic-free organic patty, so he decided to create his own. The Elevation Burger chain opened in 2005 and is in the process of expanding to more than 100 locations around the country. Reporter Rob Sachs visited Hess at his original restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, to learn more about his business and where he thinks the burger industry is headed. (Spoiler alert: He's not a McDonald's fan.)
Rob Sachs is a freelance journalist who has reported stories for NPR, WAMU, KCRW, and B-Side Radio. Rob is the creator and host of the podcast "What Would Rob Do?: An Irreverent Guide to Surviving Life's Daily Indignities." He adapted his podcast int... READ MORE >
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Way to go; we need more people thinking like this - it is possible to have a profitable business while NOT relying on the short-sighted paradigm of industrialized food!
At last! If I had money to start one, I'd have a HEALTHY FAST FOOD restaurant and drive-through. It wouldn't just be burgers, it would have an assortment of healthy meals, all-natural (maybe not all organic, because I'd want to keep the prices down), with some organic choices. Americans could go to the fast-food drive through for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and not have to go on a guilt trip afterwards.
I'm sure it would be a big hit, as just about every overweight american claims to be watching their calories (or fat, or carbs). Is anyone out there willing to start this and compete with McDonalds?
Yay for an organic burger chain! The question is--why so expensive? When chemicals and anitbiotics cost so much, why does food grown without them cost so much more?
One reason is billions of dollars in federal subsidies that go to a few giant chemical based agribiz corporations. Get on your congresspeople and senators to stop spending tax payer's money supporting food that makes us sick. Farm Bill subsidies should go to developing sustainable organic family farms. It's not just good for the consumer, it's good for the crops & the land. Check out Barbara Kingsolver's book "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral" or one of many others about sustainability and good food.
The Good Times Burger Chain in Colorado has used all natural beef (no hormones, antibiotics, all vegetarian diet) since 2003.
First in the industry http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030710005037/en/Good-Times-Burgers-Frozen-Custard-Announces-Exclusive