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Small-Scale Question Sunday for November 3, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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So historically the key to mass-marketing a meat alternative, at least in the US, has been Catholics in lent. That's why you see fast food fish sandwiches/fried fish baskets advertised heavily in February and March(Here's an article on lent in fast food business planning: https://www.mashed.com/441836/why-lent-is-big-business-for-long-john-silvers/). And beyond burgers could easily have chosen to do this, they just didn't. Instead it seems like they legitimately thought there were lots of people who could be convinced to go vegetarian by marketing, and this turned out not to be the case. In other words they were high on their own supply.

I think oatly has a similar issue but manages to at least make enough sales to stay in business off of the lactose intolerant.

I drink a gallon of dairy milk a week and nearly always have oat milk in the pantry for coffee when I run out of milk. I prefer dairy, but I'm fine with oat or almond, and I can't not have milk on hand.

Plant based milks are fairly popular and much more successful than meat alternatives.

https://foodinstitute.com/focus/deep-dive-the-state-of-alternative-milk/.

According to the National Consumer Panel, 41% of U.S. households purchased plant-based milk in 2022, with a repeat purchase rate of 76%.

Many people especially in my experience (non vegans, non lactose intolerants) prefer plant milk in coffee over dairy.

Makes sense. I tried meat-based milk and didn't like it at all.

meat-based milk

It's fucking milk