From the 1960 PBS piece “Harvest of Shame” to modern-day slavery cases and disturbing reports about sexual harassment, it is now an indisputable reality that farm labor is one of the most fundamentally impoverished and abusive — and fundamentally necessary — jobs in the United States. Though no less deplorable, the existence of these conditions is neither new nor surprising any longer.

These days, the truly startling news coming out of the Florida tomato industry is twofold. Foremost, there is the Fair Food Program, the remarkable new partnership between each level of the supply chain to not only address but prevent the transgressions of the past. In the words of Reggie Brown of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange,

“As we move forward, we can be certain that labor complaints will continue to arise in the foreseeable future, but it is how we deal with these complaints in this new partnership that will serve to demonstrate that we are serious and that our approach is working.”

Called in a Washington Post op-ed “one of the great human rights success stories of our day,” the accountable, comprehensive, collaborative nature of the Fair Food Program makes it shine as an unparalleled model for both social movements and social responsibility.

Referenced in the same Washington Post article, however, is the second piece of astonishing news: Despite the effectiveness of the Program, the vibrant and vocal support of consumers, and the participation of 11 major tomato buyers, supermarkets across the country are still refusing to join the Fair Food Program. The realities of farmworkers have been unearthed, laid bare before the public, and now a path is being built to redefine the industry as one of the most progressive, just models in the country – and yet, instead of choosing to lead the way, supermarkets are turning their backs. Not simply on the farmworkers who harvest their produce, but also their customers – and even, in the case of companies like Publix, on their own public claims that “social responsibility is the life blood of our company.”

That is why this Thanksgiving, the Fair Food nation is bringing its dwindling patience and commitment as well as its thanks to the doors of supermarkets across the United States. In a statement from Just Harvest USA:

“With the Chipotle victory just weeks ago on the eve of a National Day of Action and a base of support that continues to grow and grow, the Fair Food Movement has a lot to be grateful for.

This year’s Thanksgiving Supermarket Week of Action comes at the start of the second season of full implementation of the Fair Food Program in the tomato fields of Florida. As we give thanks for monumental advances in Florida agriculture, we remember, too, the abuses and exploitation endured for generations by those harvest of our food.

But with the new day dawning in the fields – and with thanks to be given to the 11 corporations that have signed agreements with the CIW – it’s important that we continue to push to bring the remaining hold-out corporations on board. By calling on supermarkets to commit to Fair Food, we can continue to work together to eliminate abuses and ensure dignity in the fields. 

Thanksgiving, one of the biggest times for supermarket business during the year, is the perfect time to join the national call and participate in the Thanksgiving Supermarket Week of Action, November 14-21, giving thanks to the Fair Food Program.

We’ve already heard from allies across the country who are planning creative actions in front of their own local supermarkets. With creative actions such as staging mock Thanksgiving dinners outside of their local supermarkets – with an open invitation to the store manager – allies are taking the message of Fair Food to the streets!

Join the energy building across the country as Fair Food allies plan actions and delegations to call on supermarkets to do recognize and give thanks to the farmworkers who provide food for their shelves. Write us at organize (at) sfalliance.org to plan your own action!