Session 3: Building Accountability Through Partnership

Listen

“Suffering doesn’t have to be a part of the food we eat.”

-Gerardo Reyes Chavez, Coalition of Imokalee Workers

“…And how we as people of faith can be active in solidarity as they [farm workers] are leading us, inviting us to live differently.”

-John Hill, Board Member, National Farm Worker Ministry from NFWM’s video, Maricela’s Story: Standing with Farm Workers Against Gender Based Violence

Reflect

Global supply chains are made of growers and agribusinesses who transfer products to manufacturers, the supermarket chains like Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, etc. and fast food chains like McDonald’s. This is how food is delivered to us from the fields, groves and packing sheds. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fair Food Program (FFP) and the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) are programs created as ways to build accountability within the agricultural industry. 

The Fair Food Program is a unique partnership among farmers, farm workers, and retail food companies to guarantee humane working conditions for farm workers. Participating brands, like McDonald’s and Walmart, require growers to uphold the Fair Food Code of Conduct or lose the ability to sell to them. These market consequences, along with workers’ rights trainings, a 24 x 7 complaint hotline, and deep-dive monitoring, have ended gender based violence for tens of thousands of workers. 

EFI is a food certification program that partners with growers and retailers to create a more transparent food chain, safer food and healthier places to work. When you see the EFI label on fruits and vegetables, it means the grower met more than 300 rigorous standards for labor practices, food safety and pest management. 

Solidarity Action

Learn more about the Fair Food Program and support the companies and corporations who are participating. Learn ways to use your consumer power to urge hold outs like Wendy’s to sign on by boycotting them and delivering store manager’s letters or sending postcards to your local Wendy’s. Also support the Equitable Food Initiative by asking for their products in your local grocery. 

Pray

Pray for all parts of the food supply chain, from farm workers to corporations to consumers. May they be transformed into a chain of food justice for all.

Download Harvest of Justice Session 3 Flyer

Download Semana 3 HOJ 2019