A national nonprofit organization is calling on Easton to stop supporting PA Bacon Fest and for its organizers to replace it with a healthier alternative.<\/p>\n
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit that primarily advocates for plant-based diets and against animal testing in science, said it would file a complaint Friday with Easton\u2019s chief health officer.\n<\/p>\n
The complaint, written by Dr. Keri Rosen on behalf of PCRM, an organization with nearly 1 million members but fewer than 2% physicians, called on the city to:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Require that organizers transition to \u201chealth-promoting foods like hazelnuts, cherries or chestnuts\u201d next year<\/p>\n
\u2022 Stop promoting Bacon Fest on the city website<\/p>\n
\u2022 And ask organizers to include healthier alternatives in this year\u2019s festival, including plant-based bacon products such as alternative bacon \u201cmade with mushrooms and smoked paprika.\u201d<\/p>\n
PCRM provided an early copy of the complaint to The Morning Call.<\/p>\n
The highly popular festival, which draws thousands to downtown Easton to enjoy all things bacon, returns this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Greater Easton Development Partnership, which organizes Bacon Fest, views PCRM\u2019s complaint as a publicity stunt, spokesperson Joe Dimmick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBacon\u2019s an unhealthy product; I think everyone knows that,\u201d Dimmick said. \u201cIt\u2019s one event out of the year that we do. That people have a day of indulgence, I think, is pretty reasonable, and bacon is one of the most popular breakfast meats for a reason. It\u2019s all about balance. That is the key in life; sometimes unhealthy things taste really good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr.\u2019s office said it respects the organization\u2019s right to advocate for healthier dietary choices, but believes residents and visitors are capable of making their own informed decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cPA Bacon Fest is a community tradition that generates significant economic activity for local businesses and charitable organizations,\u201d Panto said. \u201cWhile we respect differing opinions on nutrition and lifestyle choices, this event is ultimately about bringing people together, supporting our downtown, and showcasing all that Easton has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosen, a licensed family medicine and preventive medicine physician in California as well as a medical and research analyst for PCRM, said the organization has the best interests of the community in mind. Bacon and other processed meats are considered Class 1 carcinogens along with cigarettes, and she said PCRM finds the idea of holding an event around it irresponsible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf an adult makes a decision to put one of these things in their body, that\u2019s one thing, especially if they\u2019re making an informed decision,\u201d Rosen said. \u201cBut when we\u2019re having these events where younger people might be attending and don\u2019t have that same level of agency and knowledge, it\u2019s pretty worrisome. I would never bring a kid to a cigarette fest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bacon Fest is the largest fundraiser that the Greater Easton Development Partnership holds every year, Dimmick said, and is a significant fund driver for the Easton Farmers\u2019 Market, West Ward Market and community gardens, which all provide healthy food options to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve explored other food festival ideas, but we\u2019re in our 15th year; last year we drew close to 90,000 people, record attendance and I hope we do similar numbers this weekend,\u201d Dimmick said. \u201cIt\u2019s obviously something that resonates with a large number of people. It\u2019s one of those things of letting people have their bacon cupcake and eat it too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dimmick said the event has protestors every year, and organizers support their right to speak their minds as long as they don\u2019t endanger anyone, block entrances or pedestrian walkways, agitate people, or use amplified sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try to make sure when they are here people aren\u2019t getting into it with them and that they have a safe experience and they can say their piece and go about their day. Last year I didn\u2019t have any issues,\u201d Dimmick said.<\/p>\n
PCRM has made similar complaints to other communities with similar events, Rosen said. She said she wasn\u2019t aware if it ever resulted in changes, but it had led to some productive conversations, including at Wisconsin\u2019s Bacon Bash, where local PCRM members were invited to share plant-based options.<\/p>\n