Life is full of surprises, and for Tammi Jonas, a single craving reshaped her entire life. A committed vegetarian for decades, Jonas never imagined that one burger would not only reignite her taste for meat but also set her on a path to becoming a professional butcher and ethical pig farmer. Her story is as unexpected as it is inspiring.
The Craving That Changed Everything

Tammi Jonas had been a devoted vegetarian since she was 19, inspired by Peter Singer’s book Animal Liberation, which critiques factory farming and the treatment of animals. For years, her diet aligned with her values, even through two pregnancies. However, during her third pregnancy, she faced severe anemia that iron supplements couldn’t resolve. One day, an intense craving struck.
“I was at work and just thought: ‘A burger would fix this,’” Jonas recalled. That single decision to indulge in a hamburger marked the beginning of her return to meat.
A Slow Return to Meat

After her first bite of beef in years, Jonas cautiously reintroduced meat into her diet. She began eating red meat like beef and lamb once a week during her pregnancy but avoided pork and poultry for several more years. Despite her dietary shift, Jonas maintained her ethical concerns about industrial farming practices.
Speaking on being a former vegetarian, Jonas Explained, “I never thought it was immoral to take an animal’s life for food. But I thought it was immoral to treat [animals] cruelly, to not allow them to go outside and breathe fresh air”.
A Deep Connection to Farming

Growing up on a cattle ranch in Oregon, Jonas had always felt connected to the land. After moving to Australia, her eventual return to agriculture felt inevitable. Alongside her husband Stuart, she launched Jonai Farms in Victoria’s Central Highlands, raising pigs in a sustainable and ethical manner.
“When you’re from land, it’s in your bones,” Jonas shared, emphasizing her desire to create a farm that respects animals and the environment.
From Vegetarian to Butcher

Jonas’s transformation didn’t stop at eating meat—she took on the role of butcher and farmer. Driven by a desire to raise livestock humanely, she and her husband focused on creating a system that prioritized animal welfare. “We realized we were going to be farmers,” Jonas said, noting her focus on pigs because they are among the most mistreated animals in industrial farming.
While Jonas finds fulfillment in her new life past being a vegetarian, she struggles with certain aspects, particularly sending her animals to off-site slaughterhouses. “It’s a stressful experience for the animals,” she admitted. Her goal is to eventually handle the process on-site to ensure a stress-free end for her livestock.
Ethics and Sustainability

Jonas’s story highlights a unique perspective: embracing meat while championing sustainable farming. She believes her approach aligns with the planet’s needs, stating, “I hope farms like ours can help reverse, or at least mitigate climate change”.
Her views extend to the booming plant-based meat industry, which she critiques for its environmental impact. “Hats off to you if you don’t want to participate in any livestock production,” Jonas said, “but try not to have too hard a go at those of us who are trying to restore landscapes with livestock—and doing a much better job of it than your vegan impossible burger”.
A Common Phenomenon

Jonas’s experience mirrors stories of others who transitioned back to meat after years of vegetarianism. For some, cravings, health issues, or changing perspectives prompted their return. One former vegetarian recalled reintroducing meat during pregnancy due to constant hunger. “I forced myself to eat meat for weeks, but the first thing I truly enjoyed was a cheeseburger,” she shared.
For others, travel or exposure to new cuisines played a role. “I tried a burger during a trip to Brazil,” said one former vegetarian. “My body felt like it was rejoicing after two years without meat”.
Reconciling Old and New Beliefs

While Jonas remains proud of her vegetarian roots, her current philosophy centers on finding the best way to eat responsibly on a finite planet. She hopes her journey inspires others to think critically about their food choices and to explore sustainable options, whether through vegetarianism or ethical meat consumption.
“Living ethically isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Jonas remarked. “What matters is the effort to minimize harm and do what’s right for the planet”.
A Life Transformed

From a pregnant craving to running a sustainable pig farm, Jonas’s journey shows how life’s unexpected twists can lead to profound transformation. Whether vegetarian or omnivore, her story invites us to consider not just what we eat, but how it’s produced—and to strive for a food system that aligns with our values.
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