Governor Crist letter to CIW: “I support the Coalition’s Campaign for Fair Food,”

Governor Crist letter to CIW: “I support the Coalition’s Campaign for Fair Food,”… “I encourage the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange and its members to participate in the campaign…”

Lucas Benitez, CIW: “Today, with the addition of a single voice, the chorus of support for the Campaign for Fair Food grew immeasurably stronger.”

Governor Charlie Crist issued a letter to the CIW’s Lucas Benitez and Gerardo Reyes late yesterday. The letter reiterated his support for the Campaign for Fair Food, called on the FTGE to participate in the CIW’s agreements with corporate purchasers of Florida tomatoes, and closed with a reaffirmation of his commitment to work with the CIW toward a Florida agricultural industry free of labor abuse. Here below are the highlights of the letter (you can see the whole letter on Governor Crist’s website by clicking here):

  • “I have no tolerance for slavery in any form, and I am committed to eliminating this injustice anywhere in Florida…”
  • “I support the Coalition’s Campaign for Fair Food, whereby corporate purchasers of tomatoes have agreed to contribute monies for the benefit of the tomato field workers. I commend these purchasers for their participation, and I encourage the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange and its members to participate in the campaign so that these monies can reach and provide assistance to the workers…”
  • “I look forward to working with you and your organization in the future to advance these important causes.”

The CIW issued the following response:

Lucas Benitez: “Today, with the addition of a single voice, the chorus of support for the Campaign for Fair Food grew immeasurably stronger.

We are tremendously pleased to see that Governor Charlie Crist has chosen to lend his support to our campaign. There can be no doubt that this marks a significant step forward toward our vision of an agricultural industry founded on the respect of human rights, not the exploitation of human beings. We, too, look eagerly forward to working with Governor Crist to make this vision a reality.”

Gerardo Reyes: “There is, of course, much to be done. And the first order of business is for the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange (FTGE) to end its senseless opposition to our agreements with food industry leaders, so that farmworkers may receive the increased wages promised in those agreements. While the leadership of the FTGE may not yet realize it, the market around them is changing, and a more modern, more humane agricultural industry is undoubtedly in the interest of all the growers it represents. As John Chidsey, the CEO of Burger King, said in the announcement of our agreement last year, ‘If the Florida tomato industry is to be sustainable long-term, it must become more socially responsible.’

Today’s announcement by Governor Crist also sends a strong message to the rest of the restaurant and supermarket industry: Now is the time to join Yum Brands, McDonalds, and Burger King, Subway and Whole Foods in righting the wrongs that have been allowed to linger in Florida’s fields for far too long.”

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