A cafe in Idaho is going vegan after its manager watched just 15 minutes of the 2018 documentary “Dominion.”
The High Note Cafe in downtown Boise is updating its menu to exclude all animal products after its general manager Maria watched “Dominion,” a documentary directed by Chris Delforce that uses hidden cameras to expose the dark reality of animal agriculture. It includes a host of high profile names as narrators including Joaquin Phoenix, Kat Von D, Sadie Sink, and Sia.
“Whatever meat products we have now will be the last sold unless I find a better way,” Maria wrote on the High Note Facebook page. “I will make the High Note Cafe into a completely vegan establishment in the coming weeks.”
She explained that the change will not impact the quality of food available. She wrote, “I do promise to still serve excellent food that everyone can enjoy. If it works out, great, if it doesn’t and costs me my livelihood, then so be it. I can no longer go forward knowing that I have supported great suffering and inexcusable practices by the meat/egg/dairy industry.”
She added, “I’m terrified, but I know I’m doing the right thing, and the right thing isn’t always lucrative or safe. “
Support from Customers
The announcement attracted a great deal of support, with commenters praising the company for taking steps toward better animal welfare and environmental impact. A week after posting the status, Maria commented saying she was “overwhelmed beyond words.”
“Thank you all so much. I haven’t slept, I have four kids, and I’m so emotional right now with all of the positive feedback,” she said. “I will ask that everyone be patient and understanding with me, and I will keep you all updated as much as possible.”
The new menu will feature whole, unprocessed foods made with spray-free locally grown produce. “The menu will be a bit all over the place until we find our groove,” she said, adding it will include plant-based meat, vegan dairy, curries, “amazing” sandwiches, soups, and salads. “We know how to cook and we will be doing it with our hearts,” she noted.
Vegan Business
The move to vegan business could prove profitable for High Note. When Finnish burger shop Bun2Bun ditched meat and went vegan, putting the plant-based Beyond Burger center-plate, sales “skyrocketed right away,” growing 400 percent from the first day.
