In 1985, the first Great American Meatout was called for in reaction to the U.S. Senate's attempt at the time to endorse a National Meat Week. Starting from a single event that year, it has grown into an international action observed in all 50 states and 21 countries. It is now the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Activities include street theater, lectures, public dinners, food samplings, leafleting, and information tables called "steakouts." It is a day when vegetarians ask family, friends, and the general public to consider going meatless for a day, a week, or even a lifetime. People are encouraged to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains." Locally, for the 20th annual Great American Meatout, East Bay Animal Advocates sponsored a vegetarian feed-in in front of the Burger King at 13th and Broadway in Oakland. Information on the negative effects of modern industrial animal farming and the healthy and environmentally-sound option of vegetarianism was offered to the public, as well as samples of vegetarian turkey "deli slices". Reports & Photos: Oakland · Meatout.org