CALL TO ACTION: "Uniting for Fair Food" National Day of Action on Nov. 21!

After two decades of farmworker-led struggle, the promise of a New Day of justice for farmworkers in the tomato fields of Florida and beyond has finally taken hold.  With 14 food retailers now part of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Program, we are seeing incredible changes — from a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and modern-day slavery, to access to shade, water, and bathrooms, to a real voice on the job — made real not only in Florida, but across state-lines. Just a few months ago, the CIW traveled up and down the eastern seaboard of the United States — Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey — carrying out worker-to-worker education sessions about these new rights for the first time ever with thousands of workers beyond Florida. Since the inaugural season of the Fair Food Program four years ago, workers have been reporting the immense differences between farms on which the Program is implemented and those on which it is not, where the historic abuses of the agricultural industry towards farmworkers continue to persist. Each such report underlines the deep urgency of the reinforcement and expansion of the Program, which will only be possible through more retailers joining — yet, corporations like Wendy’s and Publix continue to utterly deny their responsibility to farmworkers.  

During a time of year when many share in acts of guidance, mutuality and charity, the CIW is asking the Fair Food Nation to come together and share in acts of justice. On Saturday, November 21st allies across the country are “Uniting for Fair Food” in a National Day of Action to call on Wendy’s and Publix to move beyond charity and to commit to the human rights of farmworkers and their families. 

The Fair Food Nation is already deep in the planning stages: cities, Fair Food groups — from Miami to Nashville and everyone in between — and students at Barry University, St. Thomas University, and University of Michigan (to name just a few!) are gearing up to show Publix and Wendy’s that they must recognize their responsibility to the farmworkers who make their profits possible and ensure that the food they provide is harvested in just conditions. 

As Publix works vigorously to open more stores beyond the Florida border, it cannot continue to expand its market across the Southeast without also expanding its commitment to dignity and fair working conditions for farmworkers. The expansion of Publix’s market will continue to contribute to the expansion of poverty and exploitation of farmworkers until Publix takes up its responsibility to the farmworkers within its supply chain. 

For over two years, Wendy’s has continued to be the fast-food holdout of the industry. While they promote that they value a “commitment to quality,” they must also value a commitment to the human rights of farmworkers. Wendy’s benefits from the labor of farmworkers and is accountable to ensure that the “quality” behind their burgers is redefined to include a quality of life for farmworkers and their families.

As food retailers that pride themselves in the charity work they do, both Wendy’s and Publix must listen to the call coming directly from the farmworkers in their supply chain, in whose poverty they are complicit: Rather than charity, what farmworkers are calling on Wendy’s and Publix to do is justice. It’s justice that is allowing farmworkers to finally see changes in sub-poverty wages and in the exploitation that once dominated the agriculture industry, changes in an industry that once forced workers to depend on charity for survival. And so it’s justice that farmworkers, students, people of faith and community groups are uniting around this November 21: together, we have held firmly to the belief that we must work together in order to see these changes fully realized, and together we continue to take action.

On November 21st, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Alliance for Fair Food is inviting the Fair Food Nation to show Wendy’s and Publix how justice is truly created. Pickets, marches, manager letter delegations, and community celebrations will be happening all across the country, and we invite you to join in on making this day of action an even stronger call for justice. 

If you have any questions or if you would like to plan an action contact us at organize[at]allianceforfairfood[dot]org.

See you in the streets, 

The Immokalee Crew

North Carolina Publix Truth Tour kicks off in Asheville!

The CIW's NC Publix Truth Tour is now underway, and the Immokalee crew's first stop in Asheville was a great success! After four days of learning about the abuses traditionally faced by farmworkers in the agriculture and the proven solution that is eradicating those abuses in the fields today, the Western North Carolina community came together with farmworkers to send a unified message to Publix: "If you want to expand into our community, you must expand your commitment to human rights!"

With the CIW's Fair Food Program now expanding to states outside of Florida, including North Carolina, the time is more pressing than ever for Publix to join the CIW at the table and use their tremendous market power to strengthen and further expand farmworkers' human rights.

Don't miss the Truth Tour crew's first-hand report from the mountainous roads of the Tarheel State: 

Last week, the North Carolina Publix Truth Tour had an incredible first stop in Asheville, where community members warmly welcomed the tour crew into their classrooms, congregations and communities — and then joined us at Publix for the first protest of the tour! 

Our days in this friendly mountain town were packed with efforts to connect with allies and then take action together.  Students at University of North Carolina Asheville and Warren Wilson College were moved by the CIW’s message, and then brought together their own plans to join the Sunday picket.  CIW was also welcomed to services at Beth Israel Congregation, who connected with the Fair Food delegation through T’ruah, the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.  Asheville FM Community Radio helped spread the word further about CIW’s visit to town and the upcoming protest, interviewing the CIW’s Santiago Perez about the incredible changes the Fair Food Program has brought to the agricultural industry as well as the campaign to bring Publix on board, especially as they seek to expand their stores in North Carolina.

We also brought the story of the Fair Food Program and Publix’s refusal to join to fellow workers in the Western North Carolina area, many of whom follow the tomato harvest north from Florida during the summer.  CIW’s Lupe Gonzalo and Santiago Perez were interviewed on the airwaves of JM Pro, a radio and video production viewed by hundreds in the Western North Carolina worker community.  They shared the exciting news not only of the burgeoning Publix campaign in Asheville and across the state, but also of the new expansion of the Fair Food Program into North Carolina, which began this past summer as CIW traveled to farms up the east coast, talking to thousands more workers about their new rights. 

On Thursday evening, workers, students and other community members were brought together for a screening of the award-winning documentary “Food Chains” at the local Carolina Cinema. The screening and talkback was well-attended by locals, and even a group who drove an hour from the farmworker community in neighboring Sylva, with the Vecinos Farmworker Health Program, to hear from the CIW.  They were excited not only to join CIW's Campaign for Fair Food going forward, but also to share more information about the Fair Food Program’s expansion with the farmworkers in the state of North Carolina. 

The Asheville tour stop culminated in a spirited picket at Publix that could not be dampened even by the afternoon rain!  Inspired by the “Food Chains” screening and the many presentations of the previous days, dozens of community members, students, professors, local business owners turned out -- and were even joined by several members of Nashville Fair Food, who couldn't be kept away when they heard CIW would be visiting their neighbor state. 

Rain-soaked but exuberant, North Carolinians and the CIW drove home the same message NC has been sending to Publix since the grocer's first forays into the state: as Publix seeks to expand their consumer base in North Carolina communities, consumers are demanding that the supermarket also expand their commitment to human rights. 

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Ashevillians have made this resolute call to Publix.  In fact, even before the Asheville Publix store opened this last spring, scores of North Carolinians protested alongside farmworkers at the construction site during CIW’s 2014 Now is the Time Tour, then picketed at the opening in May, and have made their message known in the local press time and time again.

This time around, while the picket started up, a delegation led by CIW's Lupe Gonzalo sought to enter the store (and of course, were denied entry) to deliver the letter signed by community members, inviting Publix once again to become part of the proven solution to farmworker poverty and powerlessness. After Lupe urged the manager to pass the community's letter onto his higher-ups, a member of Beth Israel spoke proudly of the rich history of Jewish support in the Campaign for Fair Food.  She shared that as a longtime Asheville resident and person of faith, Publix’s refusal to join the Fair Food Program — already supported by Publix's Asheville competitor up the road, Walmart — is unconscionable, and she looks forward to the day soon where she and her congregation can celebrate Publix coming to the table with the CIW.  A student from Warren Wilson closed the delegation, sharing her dismay upon learning about Publix’s position and resolve to continue organizing with her community to continue to amplify this call.  

The CIW wrapped up the picket by sharing with the participants the call for a National Day of Action on Nov. 21.  As Lupe informed the crowd, this is the weekend before Thanksgiving, and Publix will surely be promoting its family-friendly image and charity efforts, and yet will continue to refuse to respect the farmworkers who make the food on their shelves — and profits in their pockets — possible.

The Truth Tour crew took off with promises to return to Asheville soon – made to both the dozens of allies who have shown their unwavering support for the Campaign and to the local Publix management – and with much excitement for what is waiting ahead in the Triangle Area and Charlotte! 

Follow along as the CIW and AFF continue spreading truth and consciousness to North Carolina consumers about Publix's staunch refusal to take part in the changes that are transforming the lives of tens of thousands of farmworkers and their families in Florida and beyond – and stay tuned for the final Truth Tour report next week! 

Farmworker families, allies gather for 100-strong protest at Sarasota Publix, calling on Florida’s grocer to join the Fair Food Program!

This past Sunday, scores of Sarasota community allies united side-by-side with farmworker families from Immokalee for a lively picket calling on Publix to end its six-year silence and come to the table with farmworkers. They gathered, chanting and cheering and inviting the many passers-by to “honk for justice,” outside of one of Sarasota’s largest Publix stores, prominently located on the well-trafficked intersection of U.S. 41 and Bay St. 

Sarasota’s 5th annual Eat Local Week, in honor and celebration of local food, farming, and farmwork, partnered with the CIW to put together this energetic protest. As part of this weeklong event, the action was preceded by a screening of the award-winning documentary Food Chains where dozens of food-conscious Sarasotans learned, many for the first time ever, of the CIW’s pathbreaking work for justice in the fields!

Led by the CIW, the colorful protest was bolstered by the participation of allies from across Sarasota and across central Florida – including Transition Sarasota, students at New College of Florida, University of South Florida, and Hillsborough Community College all the way in Tampa, congregants at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Sarasota Quaker Meeting, and Temple Beth Israel. 

After nearly an hour of heartfelt and peaceful protest, amid rousing chants of “What do we want? Justice!” and “Down, down, with the exploitation! Up, up with the Fair Food Nation,” the crowd gathered to hear reports from the Publix delegation. The committed group of farmworkers and faith and student allies that had entered the store to speak to the manager and other representatives from Publix corporate described how the company continued to deny farmworkers a seat at the table. Publix representatives stood in silence, even as they heard loud and clear what Florida farmworkers want and deserve: justice and an authentic commitment to addressing the structural poverty and exploitation embedded in U.S. agriculture for too long – not piecemeal charity.

The #FairFoodNation was a force to be reckoned with back when it gathered at this very Publix as it opened its doors in 2011. And this Sunday’s high-spirited affair showed Publix once again that, despite (or because of) its failure to respect farmworker rights by joining the Fair Food Program, the CIW and its supporters are here to stay! 

More and more of its supermarket peers including Ahold USA and Walmart, have come on board even as Publix continues to ignore the call for justice – so, continuing to stand in solidarity with farmworkers across the state of Florida, the Fair Food Nation knows it’s only a matter of time before the Florida company comes to the table.

Sarasota’s energy served as an inspiring and grounding send-off for the members of the CIW embarking this week upon the 13-day North Carolina Publix Truth Tour, generating consciousness and commitment to the movement for dignity and respect in the fields within communities across the Tarheel State. The CIW is in North Carolina as Publix expands its market into this state to make sure that North Carolinian consumers know about the company’s complicity in the poverty and exploitation of workers which, outside of the scope of the Fair Food Program, continues to characterize the U.S. agricultural industry. 

So as Publix continues to expand to the Southeast, may the strengthening call of the Fair Food Nation in Publix’s hometown state of Florida serve as a reminder that the supermarket cannot continue to expand its market without seriously committing to human rights for farmworkers. 

Publix – end the silence, and join the New Day! 

CALL TO ACTION: #UnmaskingWendys National Weekend of Action!

This September, over 20 cities and college campuses joined together for the #SchoolingWendy’s week of action! From Food Chains screenings to #BootTheBraids actions, from pickets to letter deliveries, the Fair Food Nation’s message to Wendy’s was loud and clear: Wendy’s, there’s no excuse for your absence in the Fair Food Program!  Through the weekend, this movement brought together an even stronger vision of what a network comprised of students, leaders of faith and community members can achieve when uniting for Fair Food. But that’s just the first step — we’ve heard Wendy’s endless excuses and PR ploys, and now … it’s time for the Fair Food Nation to unmask them for what they really are! 

As the nights get longer and the days a bit cooler, and Wendy's groundless excuses persist, we are more conscious than ever that while they attempt to step towards modernity, they cannot hide behind their old-fashioned values and blatant exploitation. It’s no coincidence that as Halloween night approaches, we are all haunted by the commitment to Fair Food that current Wendy’s CEO, Emil Brolick, made in 2004 while President of Taco Bell.  Even their sugar-coated tricks won’t be able to withstand the call from the Fair Food Nation, getting louder day by day. 

This Halloween, join us in the #UnmaskingWendys Weekend of Action! Whether a march, a picket, or a letter delivery at your local Wendy’s, we are asking the Fair Food Nation to take to this streets this Halloween weekend. While many will be out asking for sweets and treats, the Fair Food Nation will be calling on Wendy’s to do the just and right thing, and join the Fair Food Program. With the call for dignity and respect ringing truer and truer by the day, the ghost of Emil Brolick’s past commitment to Fair Food will not be able to endure the ever-growing (and now spookier!) call from the Fair Food Nation. 

Get in touch at organize@allianceforfairfood.org to begin planning for the #UnmaskingWendys Halloween Weekend of Action! 

See you in-costume at Wendy’s locations across the country! 

CIW announces North Carolina Publix Truth Tour, Oct. 28-Nov. 9!

Next week, farmworkers from Immokalee and allies from the AFF will hit the open road for this fall’s North Carolina Publix Truth Tour! This journey builds on a long, rich history of CIW Truth Tours, in which farmworkers have crossed the country spreading consciousness about the exploitation and poverty behind the food we eat — and inspiring consumer allies to commit to action to be part of the solution. 

But on this month's journey to the Tarheel State, CIW will have a different story to share — one of the incredible New Day for human rights that has not only taken root across the Florida tomato industry, but expanded into North Carolina and up through New Jersey this summer, as CIW held worker-to-worker trainings on knowing and protecting farmworkers' rights through the Fair Food Program for the first time.  But, as the Fair Food Program has expanded, Publix has not only been unconscionably absent, but has begun to expand their stores in North Carolina without taking responsibility to ensure workers within their supply chain in Florida are being treated with dignity and respect. 

Moreover, during Publix’s six-year refusal to support human rights for farmworkers, their major grocery counterparts, including Walmart, Ahold USA (Stop & Shop and Giant), Trader Joe’s, The Fresh Market and Whole Foods, have all joined the Fair Food Program. With this portrait of Publix in front of them — despite Publix’s inexhaustible PR investment —North Carolinian consumers have made their message clear: You can’t expand into our neighborhoods without expanding your commitment to human rights. So, on this tour, farmworkers and allies will visit five major NC cities: Asheville, Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Charlotte — speaking truth, connecting and taking action with consumer allies to continue to spread this message across the state. 

The tour will be jam-packed with university presentations, church visits and meetings with community groups, but each stop will be anchored by a free screening of "Food Chains" and a protest at a Publix: 

Asheville (Oct. 28-Nov.1)

Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
Food Chains Screening at Carolina Cinemas Asheville
1640 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.
Publix Protest
1830 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

Triangle Area (Nov. 2-4; 8-9)

Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.
Food Chains Screening at Raleigh Grande Theater
4840 Grove Barton, Raleigh, NC 27613

Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.
Publix Protest
1020 Bradford Plaza Way, Cary, NC, 27519

Charlotte (Nov. 5-7)

Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
Food Chains Screening at Carolina Cinemas Charlotte
9630 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270

Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
Publix Protest
2222 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203

As the Fair Food Program becomes stronger and more far-reaching, as more corporations — including Publix’s counterparts — join, and as connections deepen between farmworkers and the people of North Carolina, Publix should know that as long as it continues to evade its responsibility to farmworkers in its supply chain, North Carolinians will continue refusing to welcome Publix as their neighborhood grocery store.

Get ready to follow along CIW’s journey across North Carolina! Spread the word by sharing news of the tour far and wide, and contact us at organize@alliancefairfood.org if you’re interested in joining us along the way. 

#SchoolingWendys Week of Action: Photo Report

Following the lead of students #SchoolingWendys this past week, hundreds of members of the Fair Food Nation took action at Wendy’s restaurants to teach the fast food giant a lesson about their failure to become part of the proven solution to farmworker exploitation. 

The actions — in cities and towns from San Diego to Providence, St. Pete to Chicago, and of course, here in Immokalee, included “Food Chains” screenings, letter delivery delegations and pickets. And from Duquesne to Southeastern University, from The Ohio State University to the University of Texas at Austin, hundreds of students joined the mounting national student boycott of Wendy’s, reiterating that they will not be purchasing their food until they join their competitors in the Fair Food Program.

Without further ado, we have reports from those on-the-ground in several participating cities and communities:

STUDENTS ACROSS THE NATION

In what was for some the first time taking action in solidarity with farmworkers and for some the dozenth, students across the nation took action to reinforce the call for Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program. Students at campuses with Wendy’s restaurants like UT Austin, University of Michigan, and The Ohio State University launched or continued the flourishing campaign to "Boot the Braids,” and hundreds of other students joined the robust and growing national student boycott of Wendy’s on campuses around the country, from Duquesne to Georgetown to Trevecca to Southeastern to so many in between.  Actions included but were not limited to “Food Chains” screenings, letter delivery delegations, and “#BringYourOwnTomato” - consisting of students taking their own tomatoes to Wendy’s demanding that their sandwiches be made with Fair Food tomatoes. 

PROVIDENCE

Taking big action in a small state, over 20 members of Fuerza Laboral, Direct Action for Rights and Equality, and students from the Brown Student Labor Alliance, and MEChA de Brown (Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlan) gathered at a Providence Wendy’s restaurant to carry forward Rhode Islander’s longstanding call to Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program!  Not to be deterred by a delayed bus route, they began chanting at the busy bus stop, cheered on by car horns and passersby. Once the group reached the Wendy’s, the students and community organizers began to picket and chant, “Your burgers may be square but your food ain’t fair!”  All those in attendance then entered the Wendy’s to deliver a letter to the store manager expressing their demand for Wendy’s to respect farmworker rights, asking that they pass it on so that it might reach Wendy’s CEO.  They were rebuffed, but left with an ever-strong commitment to continue their call to Wendy's.  

San Diego

Straight from San Diego is a direct account from a small but committed delegation to the manager! "On Sunday, October 4, five people participated in a letter delivery and picket in front of one of the Wendy’s restaurants located in the city of San Diego. We picketed in front of Wendy’s from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.  At 1:15 we went inside Wendy’s and handed in a manager letter. We proceeded to tell her that we were allies of the CIW and customers of Wendy’s, and we were there to urge Wendy’s to get on board with the Fair Food Program.”

During the letter delegation, the manager was informed of Wendy’s refusal to join the Fair Food Program and how they remain the final fast food hold out. In the midst of the picket, a few conversations were had. A latino family who’d carried the tradition of going to Wendy’s every Sunday after church vowed not to eat there anymore until they joined the Fair Food Program. There were honks of support as well as comments of disapproval, but the message was delivered either way. 

T’ruah

As they celebrated the harvest holiday of Sukkot, T’ruah: the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, took to the web to make their statement to Wendy’s. With tweets demanding that Wendy’s join the Fair Food Program, and a call for constituents to email CEO Emil Brolick, T’ruah emphasized the moral responsibility Wendy’s has to join the Program, ending their email with the following:

“So I ask Wendy's: If not now, when? Corporate values such as "do the right thing" and "treat people with respect" are meaningless when there is a proven solution to abuse in your supply chain. Joining the Fair Food Program is not just about good business for Wendy's. It is a moral imperative. I look forward to the day soon when Wendy's commits to the Fair Food Program.” 

ST. PETE

In St. Pete, we have a report from SFAer and Quaker Kate Sundberg:
"On Saturday, the Southeastern Yearly Meeting (SEYM) held Fall Interim Business Meeting where Quakers from all over Florida gathered in St. Petersburg. Quaker youth from Miami, Tallahassee, Sarasota, and St. Pete converged to make signs and get ready for an action on Wendy’s for the Schooling Wendy’s Week of Action. Quakers who were led to take action in the streets joined us and we walked to a nearby Wendy’s with beautiful signs, red wigs, and a ton of energy. At Wendy’s we picketed and chanted and a small delegation, consisting mostly of youth, went into the store to talk to the manager. The manager accepted the letter and told us she would pass it on to her boss. People surrounding the Wendy’s were also very curious so we handed out a bunch of flyers with information about the CIW and the Fair Food Campaign. After the action we reported back to the Quakers who were unable to join us, and who were also very supportive of our work and the Fair Food Campaign.”

Immokalee

And at the very heart of the Campaign for Fair Food, members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the AFF Immokalee crew paid a visit to a local Wendy’s this past Saturday.  Not only surrounded by those present, but also conscious that the message she shared was reverberating around the country, Nely Rodriguez of the CIW spoke with the manager of a Ft. Myers restaurant about the chain’s responsibility to do right by the farmworkers who make their profits possible. Some of the younger CIW members present — in middle school here in Immokalee — carried signs declaring the student boycott to remind Wendy’s that it’s not only university students around the country who are joining the student boycott, it’s students of all ages, including students here in the nucleus of the CIW’s fight for Fair Food.  

As the tomato season begins here in Immokalee, blue October skies are overhead, and the New Day of farmworker justice continues to shine ever brighter in Florida tomato fields — and now in tomato fields in Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina, too.  The New Day of the CIW’s Fair Food Program means the right to a fair wage. It means zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the fields and zero tolerance for forced labor. It means access to shade, water, and bathrooms, and the right to speak up without fear of retribution.  And the New Day means that corporations and growers long complicit in the abuse of farmworkers’ rights are now part of the farmworker-designed solution.  

Wendy’s, alone among major fast food corporations, continues to remain in the night of a terrible history of abuse of farmworkers.  Wendy’s, the New Day is here and this thriving consumer movement will only grow and grow until you join.  

Until then, Halloween is right around the corner — and if memory serves, October 31 has proved in the past to be a scary day for corporations that refuse to respect farmworker rights … 

Hundreds of people of faith, students, community members amplify the call for Wendy’s to respect farmworkers’ rights, with over 15 more on-the-ground actions still to come!

In a brilliant beginning to the #SchoolingWendys National Week of Action, hundreds of people of faith, students, and community members have already taken to the streets, classrooms, pews and Twitterverse to further amplify the ever-growing call to Wendy’s: Respect farmworkers’ rights and join the Fair Food Program!

The Week of Action kicked off with power and liveliness in Orlando this Monday, as members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, dozens of young people from the Youth and Young Adult Network of the National Farmworker Ministry, congregants of the University Unitarian Universalist Society, students from University of Central Florida, and members of the Orlando community came together for a peaceful picket with art and song.  

And on the online front, our friends at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee have been spreading the message of Fair Food to their wide-reaching network.  In a memo sent to thousands, they wrote about the Fair Food Program: “While this worker- and market-driven strategy has been a runaway success, holdouts like Wendy's refuse to take responsibility for just working conditions in an industry long plagued by abuse. … By refusing to sign onto the Fair Food Program, Wendy's is creating a market for tomatoes not certified as "fair" and is failing to help transform an industry.”  So far, dozens of UUSC members have taken online action and pledged to join actions happening in their local communities.  

And Wednesday night at the University of Texas–Austin, dozens of students marched from one on-campus Wendy’s location to the other — two of the highest-grossing Wendy’s in Texas — to declare a student boycott of these restaurants and a campaign to “Boot the Braids” and terminate the university’s contract with the two Wendy’s locations.  The announcement comes on the heels of commitments from dozens of students at Georgetown to join the student boycott in Washington, DC.

These forms of public witness are all accompanied by an air of formidable dedication; many of those taking action have been working in solidarity with the CIW for years, many are just getting involved, and all carry a commitment to farmworker justice that, at the leadership of the CIW, has brought 14 major food corporations to the table — and that will surely bring Wendy’s to the table, too.  

It is this steady commitment that birthed this Week of Action: For years, the Fair Food Nation has been calling on Wendy’s to join with the CIW as they transform working conditions in tomato fields in Florida, and as of this summer, up the Eastern seaboard.  The past few seasons have seen the utter metamorphosis of deeply-entrenched abusive conditions to a new day of human rights for farmworkers: zero tolerance for sexual harassment; zero tolerance for modern-day slavery; access to shade, water and bathrooms; increased wages; the right to speak up without fear of retribution. 

How long can Wendy’s continue their unconscionable refusal to join the proven solution to farmworker exploitation?  

Until Wendy’s does right by farmworkers, the call for them to join the Fair Food Program will reverberate in dozens of cities across the country as this week unfolds — and it will only continue to grow.  

Check out the list of actions to find one near you or contact us at organize@allianceforfairfood.org if you’d like support in organizing one with your community, congregation or university!  

Annual youth convergence in Immokalee sparks 20+ actions for upcoming "Schooling Wendy’s" Week of Action

Two weeks ago, over 80 students and youth from all over the country made their way down to Immokalee for the Student/Farmworker Alliance's annual youth gathering, the Encuentro, where they connected with and learned from the very community leading the struggle for justice in the fields of Florida. 

From Wendy’s and Publix based strategy sessions to a vibrant action with over 100 Immokalee farmworker community members, students, and Southwest Florida allies, the entire weekend was full of a new-found energy for both Encuentro participants and the rest of the Fair Food Nation alike.

What’s more, that energy has proven fruitful in further amplifying the call for the upcoming “Schooling Wendy’s” National Week of Action.  Over 15 cities, from coast to coast, have confirmed participation, and will be putting out the call for final fast food holdout to respect farmworkers in their supply chain at a Wendy's near you! From Food Chains screenings and letter deliveries,  to teatros and marches, the entire Fair Food Nation will be “Schooling Wendy’s” this Sept. 27 - Oct. 4 on the many ways Wendy’s has failed to commit to ensuring the men and women who harvest the produce they serve in their square burgers are guaranteed dignified wages, just working conditions and a voice in their workplace. 

Check out actions happening near you or contact us to plan your own! 

So as the summer draws to a close, and the Fair Food Nation continues to turn up the heat on Wendy’s, we are all reminded that there is a "new day" for farmworkers dawning in the fields of Florida and beyond. And with that, the final fast food holdout, Wendy’s, has no choice but to do what is just and right, and join the Fair Food Program. 

Lakeland students to Publix: "We will not continue letting this happen where Publix has their headquarters!"

This past Thursday, in a classroom just miles from Fair Food holdout Publix’s corporate offices in Lakeland, FL, a crowd of over 60 Southeastern University students, professors, staff, and Lakeland community members learned for the first time ever of the CIW’s groundbreaking work for farmworker justice — and of the shameful, six-year refusal of their hometown supermarket, Publix, to be part of it.  Deeply moved by the first-ever Lakeland screening of Food Chains — the film featuring the CIW’s 2012 six-day fast in front of Publix Headquarters in Lakeland itself — a presentation by the CIW, and a peaceful march and vigil at a nearby Publix, the dozens-strong assembly left the event with a profound commitment to carrying forward both the message of the new day dawning through the Fair Food Program and the ever-strengthening call for Publix to be part of it.  

If you have watched Food Chains, you have accepted an invitation from the CIW to learn of a 20+ year struggle for an end to the rampant wage theft, health dangers, sexual harassment, poverty wages, discrimination, and in extreme cases, forced labor, that has marked agricultural labor in this country for so long.  You have also born witness to farmworkers and allies fasting for six days in 2012 at Publix headquarters — which is only one moment in a six-year long campaign to call on Publix to dialogue with the CIW.  And, most crucially, you have been personally invited to call on Publix to be part of the proven solution to farmworker exploitation which is transforming an entire industry.  For many of the attendees of this Lakeland screening, this was their first time receiving this moving invitation.  Their response was clear: an intense excitement and sense of purpose lent by the tremendous gains of the CIW, and heavy dismay that their hometown grocer has refused to take responsibility for farmworker rights in their supply chain.  

After the film’s credits ran, the audience heard the powerful testimony of the CIW’s own Silvia Perez, Julia de la Cruz, and Lupe Gonzalo to the dramatic human rights advances in the fields in the three short years since the film was made.  The engagement, openness, and earnestness of the audience was tangible as they brought forth questions about the Fair Food Program and the potential role that Publix could play in it.  One audience member shared that her family was currently working in the fields in Georgia, and she was so glad to hear of the incredible gains of the Fair Food Program in Florida tomato fields; she asked if these changes would also take root in Georgia. Julia gladly answered that yes — for the first time ever this summer, the Fair Food Program had expanded not only to Georgia tomato fields, but also to fields in Virginia, the Carolinas, and New Jersey.  

Galvanized by a fresh understanding of their connection to the CIW’s work — not only as people and consumers, but also as Lakelanders — the audience began a peaceful march towards a nearby Publix holding signs saying “SEU Students to Publix: Join the Fair Food Program!,” “SEU Stands With Farmworkers,” and “Publix, Love Thy Neighbor.”  Pausing at a statue of Jesus, a centerpiece of campus, respected SEU professor Dr. Kenneth Archer led the group in a prayer expressing how proud he and other Lakelanders are to stand with farmworkers and amplifying the call for Publix to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”  The students, professors, staff, and community members then marched a mile to Publix, accompanied by supportive honks and curious looks along the way. 

Upon reaching Publix, the participants lit candles and proceeded to share a series of reflections, prayers and songs to close out the evening. Silvia Perez of the CIW delivered a powerful message on the CIW’s long call to Publix to come to the table with farmworkers:

“There are now fourteen corporations that are part of the Fair Food Program, and we want Publix to be among them — to take responsibility for human rights in their supply chain.  … Over the past six years, we have taken so many forms of public witness here in Lakeland — a six day fast, a peaceful march of 200 miles, prayers inside the store.  We’ve done so much to communicate this call to Publix, and in all this time, they refused to even dialogue.  It’s beautiful that we now have fourteen corporations cooperating with the Fair Food Program — they are paying the penny more per pound, they are listening to workers, they are taking responsibility, and the sexual harassment, wage theft, and other abuses that have existed for so long are finally ending.  Often times when we go to talk with Publix managers, they say that this is a labor dispute and they won’t get involved, which we know is not the case — all we are asking them to do is to take the responsibility that they must, and work with us. … We are proud to stand next to you today, because you are the consumers and you’re bringing your voice here and together we are united.  We hope that Publix won’t take too much longer and will take our message to heart and will become part of what we are doing today.”  

Three SEU students and Lupe Gonzalo of the CIW then carried a letter signed by all of the screening attendees to Publix management, extending the invitation once again to Publix to sit at the table with farmworkers — adding to the thousands of letters that have been delivered to Publix locations over the past six years.  The delegation was escorted by several Publix representatives, flanked by police, and relegated to the side of the parking lot.  Students expressed conviction that by denying farmworkers humanity and their connection to it, Publix executives are denying their own humanity; that while they grew up shopping at Publix and have appreciated Publix, they are shocked by their refusal to join the Program.  One student shared that he came from a family of growers, and knows what it is to be in the agricultural business —  but also grew up seeing immigrant workers in the fields and saw them work “harder than you could even imagine” to feed their families — and make the food on stores like Publix’s shelves possible. He was shocked and saddened to hear that Publix, known as a people-centered company, has taken this stance.  Each student expressed that they can no longer shop at Publix in good conscience. 

Students closed the vigil on a resolute note, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work in solidarity with farmworkers for justice in the fields, and committing to continue to bring the struggle for Fair Food to the heart of Publix’s community in Lakeland. As student (and Immokalee intern extraordinaire) Priscilla Vélez put it, “It is our duty and our responsibility to listen to farmworkers… As members of the Lakeland community, we will not continue letting this happen where Publix has their headquarters.”

CALL TO ACTION: “Schooling Wendy’s” National Week of Action Sept. 27-Oct. 4

As summer 2015 draws to a close, the Fair Food Nation has so much to celebrate. Ten years after the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and student, faith and community allies brought Taco Bell to sign the first-ever Fair Food Agreement, Ahold USA became the 14th corporation to join the Fair Food Program — an agreement that includes an expanded consumer education component and an annual contribution to the third-party monitoring body of the Program.  

The CIW is about to enter the fourth full season of the Fair Food Program’s implementation, which in three short years has resulted in massive improvements to farmworkers’ wages and working conditions in Florida tomato fields.  And, for the first time this summer, the Program expanded to tomato fields outside of Florida — to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey —  where thousands of workers participated in worker-to-worker education to learn about their new rights under the Fair Food Program.

And this summer, the palpable momentum of this farmworker-led movement has involved more and more consumers, students, young people, community leaders, people of all faiths or none, food justice advocates and other workers and grassroots movements in the three-year call to Wendy’s, the final fast food holdout: Wendy’s, it’s time to join the Fair Food Program!

Farmworkers and allies have been inviting Wendy’s for years to become part of the solution to farmworker exploitation — yet Wendy’s still hasn’t joined, despite countless community marches and pickets, an ongoing Boot the Braids campaign to end university ties with Wendy’s and the growing national student boycott of Wendy's.  

As we enter the fall season, the Student/Farmworker Alliance is calling on the entire Fair Food Nation to take action from Sept. 27 - Oct. 4 at local Wendy’s establishments!

As the summer draws to a close,  join us as we keep the heat on Wendy’s, organizing pickets, theater pieces, marches and more within our communities, Fair Food Groups or congregations.  As students return to the national student boycott of Wendy’s, the entire Fair Food Nation will be “Schooling Wendy’s” on the many ways Wendy’s has failed to make the grade: dignified wages and working conditions, the prevention of violence and forced labor and respect for workers’ voices, just to name a few.  

Get in touch at organize@allianceforfairfood.org or 239-657-8311 to begin planning for the Schooling Wendy’s Week of Action in your city!  Stay tuned for a Week of Action resource packet containing everything from an action organizing how-to guide to a sample press release.  

Wendy’s, we’ll be seeing you in the streets!