[hupso title=”From #FL to #Denver, @Wendys hears from a fed up #FairFoodNation…” url=”https://ciw-online.org/blog/2014/11/wendys-protests/”]
With the fall picking season just around the corner, farmworkers in Immokalee and Fair Food activists across the country crank up creative Wendy’s actions…
Between farmworkers returning to Florida for the start of the new harvest season and allies in cooler climes taking to the streets for vibrant Fair Food protests, it is safe to say that fall is finally here! And after three great Wendy’s actions last week, you can be fairly certain that the fast food giant is also sensing a change in the air.
The always inspiring Denver Fair Food, pictured above, took advantage of the Day of the Dead holiday to put together a colorful Wendy’s action in Colorado; T’ruah’s “Tomato Rabbis” headed to Wendy’s in Naples, Florida, to make their voices heard during a multi-day exchange with the CIW; and Ohio Fair Food hit up Wendy’s headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, to take the fast food chain to task for failing to support farmworker women’s rights. We’ve prepared a brief report from all these high-energy actions:
Following two days spent in dialogue and reflection with CIW members, Fair Food Program tomato growers, and representatives of the Alliance for Fair Food, the rabbis took to the streets for some action! The T’ruah delegation joined CIW members for a picket at a local Wendy’s and visited with the manager to express their deep disappointment with the fast food giant for its refusal to join its five major competitors in supporting the Fair Food Program:
T’ruah’s first visit to the CIW took place in 2011, coinciding with the first year of the Fair Food Program’s implementation across the $650 million Florida tomato industry. With seven delegations over the next four years, T’ruah has had a front row seat to witness, in real time, the unprecedented transformation that has taken place in Florida’s fields. In keeping with that transformation, the very purpose of the rabbis’ delegations has shifted from studying the roots and consequences of modern-day slavery to learning about the unique worker-driven social responsibility model that has achieved the elimination and prevention of forced labor and other longstanding abuses in Florida’s tomato industry, all within a few short years. As always, this year’s delegation (pictured below) left Immokalee refreshed and ready to carry their passion for Fair Food back to their communities across the US!
Meanwhile, out west and up north…
While rabbis in Immokalee were watching the CIW’s annual theater piece on Day of the Dead, Denver Fair Food was leading an afternoon march from Regis University to Wendy’s to celebrate the same holiday and honor those who have dedicated their lives to farm labor justice — Fair Food style! Dozens of Denver Fair Food activists, young and younger, took to the streets, with hand-painted signs (and faces!), calling on Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program. Here are a few pics from the spirited (pun intended, of course) action:
Following the protest, the indefatigable folks at Denver Fair Food continued to mobilize, organizing for the release of “Food Chains” later this month. With all the energy building in Denver this fall, it’s going to be a rocky road ahead for Wendy’s in the Rocky Mountains! (Ok, enough puns…)
And finally, just a few days ago, Ohio Fair Food was at it again in front of Wendy’s Headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, protesting the hypocrisy of Wendy’s hosting the local Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) for a Leadership Luncheon while turning its back on farmworker women fighting for their rights in its supply chain. Ohio Fair Food had encouraged the YWCA, whose slogan is “eliminating racism, empowering women,” to cancel the event in light of Wendy’s resistance to long-overdue progress for farmworker women, but the event went on as planned — and so Fair Food activists in Ohio joined in!
The lively protest was not overlooked by the local press. Columbus-based newspaper “The Examiner” covered the event:
Ohio Fair Food to call on Wendy’s, YWCA to remember women farm workers
[…] On Wednesday, November 5 the farm worker rights coalition Ohio Fair Food will recall this legacy when YWCA Columbus holds a leadership luncheon on “The Power of Personal Impact” at Wendy’s corporate headquarters.
Ohio Fair Food wants supporters of the YWCA to know that Wendy’s has refused to enter into an agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to support fair pay and ethical treatment of Florida farm workers, many of whom are women. The CIW’s Fair Food Program includes zero tolerance for sexual harassment and other abuses.
Ohio Fair Food will gather at 10:45 a.m. Wendy’s headquarters, One Dave Thomas Boulevard in Dublin to greet the luncheon attendees as they arrive. For more details, contact ohioforfairfood@gmail.com.
Sue Carter (right) sporting the new Fair Food poster
“As a woman, Columbus resident, and consumer who has participated in the Fair Food campaign for many years, I’m constantly reminded of the high price thousands of women pay for the food we eat,” said Sue Carter of Ohio Fair Food.
“Women farm workers in Florida endure abuse and exploitation in the field so corporations like Wendy’s can provide a quality product to its customers,” Carter said. “We need local organizations to embrace this connection and join Ohio Fair Food in calling on Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program that brings justice to all women.”
We couldn’t say it better ourselves, so today’s last word goes to Sue (who happens to be pictured above, holding the beautiful Fair Food poster sign!). Stay tuned for more on the upcoming “Food Chains” film release, and more exciting news on the Fair Food front!
