Takoma Park, home of the nuclear-free zone, has found a new foe in foie gras.
City Council members passed a resolution last week opposing the production and sale of the fatty delicacy made from the livers of force-fed ducks and geese.
The pricey treat is made through a controversial process that involves sticking tubes down the throats of ducks and geese to feed them large quantities of grain, causing their livers to swell. Foie gras production has been banned in some countries and will be illegal in California in 2012.
“My mother was French, and I’ve eaten a bit of foie gras in my life,” City Councilman Dan Robinson said. “As I was educated about the process, I won’t eat it again; it is inhumane, and I am glad to take that stand.”
The resolution “encourages Takoma Park residents not to buy foie gras in order to avoid supporting this extreme form of animal cruelty.” But some City Council members may want to take it even further: They have asked staff to investigate whether they can legally ban the production, consumption or sale of the substance.
City Manager Barbara Burns Matthews said there was concern about how an outright ban could be enforced.
“We obviously don’t see what people eat in the privacy of their own homes,” Matthews said.
Takoma Park foodie and foie gras fan Carol Blymire, who blogs about gourmet cooking, doesn’t support the resolution.
“I said you have got to be kidding, it is kind of embarrassing,” Blymire said. “We have this reputation of being these crazy people in Takoma Park who spend all our time on symbolic gestures. I feel like there are stronger local legislative issues that should have gotten priority.”
City Councilwoman Colleen Clay said she’s heard comments like that before, but so far she’s only received one thank you and a few positive joking comments about this issue.
“A supporter said we should get T-shirts that say ‘Takoma Park: Nuclear and foie gras free,’” Clay said. “You have to admit, Takoma Park is not afraid to use its city statutes to bring attention to national issues.”
