Tenth Pittsburgh Restaurant Ditches Foie Gras

Le Pommier Commits to No Longer Sell Foie Gras!

We have won the campaign against Le Pommier's sale of foie gras! On Thursday, February 10th, 2005, Voices for Animals received a formal letter from Le Pommier stating that they are making a commitment to no longer sell foie gras at Le Pommier now or in the future. We have posted Le Pommier's letter in full below. We are very happy and encouraged by this latest development. Thank you to everyone who protested and took time to make phone calls and write letters to Le Pommier-you helped make this victory possible. Please write thank you letters to Le Pommier for deciding to do the right thing:


Mr. Richard Bjork Mr. Mark Collins
Le Pommier
2104 E Carson St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

As we approach the one year anniversary of the direct action part of the Foie Gras-Free Pittsburgh campaign, we look back and are
encouraged by the amount of progress we've made in such a relatively short amount of time. Le Pommier marks our 10th official victory of the campaign. We are well on our way to achieving a foie gras-free city.

Le Pommier's letter:

Richard Bjork
House Manager
Le Pommier
412.431.1901


09 February 2005

After thoughtful and lengthy consideration, Le Pommier has decided not to sell foie gras in our establishment and to make the pledge not to sell foie gras in the future.

As you know, Le Pommier has served foie gras in the past for several reasons. First, it is a part of traditional French cuisine. Secondly, over eighty percent of our customers have indicated they would like to have the option to order foie gras, especially at holiday times, and for special events. Thirdly, it is legal for us to do so. These reasons combined have mad the choice to serve foie gras in the past an easy one. As we are in the service industry, and it behooves us to offer what our customers want, it was clear that offering a traditional beloved French dish was in our best interests.

However, as you are well aware, the climate and understanding of animal rights and inhumane food practices is changing. We are aware of the efforts around the world to make the sale and production of
foie gras illegal. For this reason, we have reassessed our position.

We thank you for keeping your prolonged presence campaign at our restaurant a peaceful one. However, we don't agree with the methods by which the information used by Voices for Animals and its parent
organizations is obtained and the lengths to which people associated with those groups go to propel their agendas. Part of our hesitance in agreeing to permanently remove foie gras from our menu was the
disregard and retribution shown to the people and property of those who disagree with these beliefs.

We encourage those opposed to the production and sale of foie gras, along with other campaigns such as anti-vivisection, the Elephant Campaign, and those promoting animal rights in general, to do so through legal and respectful methods. We have also enclosed a gift certificate for you and a guest to come in and enjoy a dinner on us.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Mark E. Collins Jeremy D. Carlisle Richard Björk
Executive Chef - Owner House Manager - Owner General Manager

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