Wednesday, February 15, 2012

VICTORY! Trader Joe's signs Fair Food Agreement!

On the eve of 40 protests planned across the country, including one outside the grand opening of its first Florida store, just miles from Immokalee, Trader Joe's signed a Fair Food agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers today. Here is the joint press release announcing the accord:
For Immediate Release
February 9, 2012

Contact
Gerardo Reyes, CIW
239) 657-8311
gerardo@ciw-online.org

Alison Mochizuki, Director Public Relations, Trader Joe's
(626) 599-3779
amochizuki@traderjoes.com

Trader Joe’s and The Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Sign Fair Food Agreement

Monrovia, CA/Immokalee, FL -- Trader Joe’s and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) announced today that they have signed an agreement that formalizes the ways in which Trader Joe’s will work with the CIW and Florida tomato growers to support the CIW’s Fair Food Program.

The Fair Food Program is a groundbreaking approach to social responsibility in the US produce industry that combines the Fair Food Code of Conduct – a set of labor standards developed in a unique collaboration among farmworkers, tomato growers, and the food industry leaders who purchase Florida tomatoes – with a small price premium to help improve harvesters’ wages. The goal of the Fair Food Program is to promote the development of a sustainable Florida tomato industry that advances both the human rights of farmworkers and the long-term interests of Florida tomato growers.

“We are truly happy today to welcome Trader Joe’s aboard the Fair Food Program,” said Gerardo Reyes of the CIW. “Trader Joe’s is cherished by its customers for a number of reasons, but high on that list is the company’s commitment to ethical purchasing practices. With this agreement, Trader Joe’s reaffirms that commitment and sends a strong -- and timely -- message of support to the Florida growers who are choosing to do the right thing, investing in improved labor standards, despite the challenges of a difficult marketplace and tough economic times.”

About Trader Joe’s: With the opening of the Naples, Florida location, Trader Joe’s operates 367 neighborhood grocery stores across the nation. More information at www.traderjoes.com.

About the CIW: The CIW (www.ciw-online.org) is a community-based farmworker organization headquartered in Immokalee, Florida, with over 4,000 members. The CIW seeks modern working conditions for farmworkers and promotes their fair treatment in accordance with national and international labor standards. Among its accomplishments, the CIW has aided in the prosecution by the Department of Justice of six slavery operations and the liberation of well over 1,000 workers. The CIW’s Campaign for Fair Food has won unprecedented support for fundamental farm labor reforms from retail food industry leaders, with the goal of enlisting the market power of those companies to demand more humane labor standards from their Florida tomato suppliers.


This incredible accomplishment – another important step toward a truly just and sustainable food system – comes after nearly two years of mounting pressure from the CIW and its allies, including students, community groups, and people of faith nationwide.

Thanks to everyone in Colorado who took the time to send an email to Trader Joe's CEO. While that may have felt like a minor or even insignificant act, our actions no matter how small, when taken together, are powerful! Who knows? You may have been the straw to break the camel's back.

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