Some protest Granholm's 'Meatout Day'

BYRON CENTER, Mich. (WOOD) - Byron Center Meats is just one of the places protesting Michigan's "Meatout Day."

It was Gov. Jennifer Granholm who declared Saturday "Meatout Day" -- although she took back the proclamation later. The announcement issued by her office encouraged residents to choose not to eat meat in observance of the day and to try different recipes rich with vegetables, fruit and whole grains.

She has since changed the name to "Agriculture Day."

The resolution upset many Michigan farmers and drew an intense reaction from local meat vendors.

"The proclamation as written is not as accurate as it should be, and that is one of our issues," Byron Center Meats employee Mike DeVries said. "And obviously, segregating meat and protein out of this agri-segment group, we didn't feel was appropriate."

To make a point at the store, employees will hand out two free quarter-pound patties Saturday, while supplies last.

The majority of products in Byron Center Meats -- from vegetables and noodles to sauces -- are Michigan-made, DeVries told 24 Hour News 8 on Wednesday.

"That's what we built our store on -- we built our store on Michigan," he said.

Agriculture Day, or Meatout Day, shouldn't be about picking on one industry, he added, but about supporting them all.

"We're not going against the other group that she is endorsing, we're just saying it's a balance," DeVries said. "A diet is a balance between proteins, vegetables and dairy. It's a balance.

"We're trying to recover our revenue or tax business in this state and this is kind of counterproductive."

One customer was shopping with his family. What's he eating on Saturday? The usual.

"I eat meat and potatoes every day," said Robert Brown, who was shopping for steaks. "That's about it."

Agriculture is the No. 2 industry in Michigan.

The governor meant no disrespect to Michigan's agriculture industry, according to a statement from Granholm's spokesperson, and no one expects people not to eat meat because "with March Madness upon us, there will be a lot of chicken wings and burgers consumed on Saturday."