The Central Valley is a tough place for vegetarians

Natalie Wight has been a vegetarian for three years, in rural Merced, California. Some changes are happening, but it's still hard to get good vegetarian food at restaurants or at school. Explaining why she chooses to exclude meat to those around her reinforces her choice. "Meat is part of our local culture; it’s a part of everyday life. Some of my friends and lots of other people around here have grown up raising animals for meat. So learning how to express my thoughts on vegetarianism to friends while still respecting the way they grew up is challenging for me." Read her commentary on We'Ced.