I shared with the class my personal struggle with shrimp - a food I love. I grew up spending summers on the Texas Gulf Coast - if we wanted shrimp, we waited down at the dock in Kemah and bought it. So for years I happily ordered shrimp, simply assuming it was caught from the Gulf.
"WHEN ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.", to quote Pope. Once I knew about the horrors of shrimp farming, and what it did to the workers and the land I just couldn't. Add in the impact of Katrina and Ike to the Gulf Coast economy, and the personal connection I feel to the area and the industry, and I am now this really annoying customer who asks where the shrimp come from, and if they aren't net caught from the Gulf, I pass.
I realize that my little actions don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but if I did try to eat farmed shrimp knowing what I now know it would be sawdust in my mouth.
I do realize how easy it would be to lie to me - one indicator is the price. If the shrimp is too cheap, it's probably farmed. And I would never criticize a friend who ordered the shrimp - although I have had friends ask why I asked the waiter where the shrimp orginated, and I'll tell them then, but I don't want to become that friend who regards a meal as an opportunity to police my friend's ethical and culinary choices.
- - - what is this thread about, again?
eta - and now I'm hungry.