Farmworker's Rights Activists Protest at Trader Joe's

on Court Street Saturday was the target of a nationwide campaign to end the “modern day slavery" of farm workers who grow and harvest much of the tomatoes bought by the store.

Troupes of locals and representatives from the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) took to the streets to raise awareness about the decade-old campaign. 

The colorful, peaceful processions were part of a day long Fair Food Festival organized by the internationally recognized CIW and a partner organization based in New York, the Community/Farmworker Alliance. The Commons on Atlantic Avenue served as a hub of educational activities for kids and adults, workshops and home base for rally participants throughout the day.

“We’re very happy to be in New York," said farm worker Gerardo Chavez, 34, to a crowd at the Commons. "This is a moment when history is being written for farm workers. We didn’t know if we could challenge the entrenched power of the tomato industry, but I think we’re getting there,” said Chavez.

He ended his speech with a warning.

“Watch out Trader Joe’s.”

Founded ten years ago by migrant farm laborers, The CIW has forged landmark Fair Food Agreements with local tomato farms and leading global food retailers – including McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Burger King – in which the corporate buyers agreed to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes picked, and in which labor contractors have signed on to a code of conduct that protects workers’ human and labor rights.

Trader Joe’s has so far refused to sign the agreement. According to the CIW, TJ’s claims to have signed on while continuing the same wage abuse.

The new code of conduct includes new workplace protections, such as a safe way to report sexual abuses, providing mandatory shade for workers to rest, minimum wage guarantees and a “zero tolerance policy” towards “modern day slavery” and sexual harassment.

Participants in the rally Saturday included impassioned farm workers from Immokalee, Florida, who pick the tomatoes sold to Trader Joe’s, as well as locals in support of their cause.

Oscar Oztoy, one of the Immokalee workers present at the event, explained how he made only 50 cents per 32 lb. bucket of tomatoes picked; to earn minimum wage, one has to pick between 125 and 130 buckets within ten or twelve hours – something he described as “extremely difficult.”

“When you’re harvesting, you’re exposed to extreme heat, and to pesticides,” said Oztoy.

Several “Unity Runs” and marches up to Trader Joe’s occurred throughout the day, arousing interest from shoppers and passersby along Atlantic Avenue, as marchers handed out information and yelled out cheers like “ Up! Up! With the fair food nation! Down, down with exploitation!”

E. Harris from Crown Heights was waiting for her bus home as the ralliers passed. She admitted she did shop at Trader Joe’s, but expressed concern for the farmworkers and frustration with a long-trusted company.

“I’m disappointed that Trader Joe’s would do that to people who are working so hard. That’s sad that such a well-known company would do that. That’s not even minimum wage – I mean, what is that?”

During each parade, the marchers entered Trader Joe’s and requested the store manager to come outside and agree to deliver a letter intended for Trader Joe’s CEO. Twice, the manager declined and told the group to send the letter themselves. The store manager declined to comment, saying he was not permitted to do so.

When asked to comment, one Trader Joe’s employee shrugged and said, “I don’t care" and walked off; another argued the store did not buy those tomatoes anymore. 

Trader Joe’s shoppers took fliers from the marchers as they left the store, brimming Trader Joe’s trademark brown bags in hand.

Many shoppers felt guilt. Jane Parkerton of Brooklyn Heights headed into shop shaking her head, saying she wanted to “be a part” of the rally.

“I shouldn’t shop here. I buy bread here because it's so cheap," she said. "I was around when we were protesting lettuce.”

Several children of Immokalee workers joined their parents in New York for the Fair Food Festival events on Saturday.

“My mom wants a better future for us,” said Candace, the daughter of an Immokolee worker. “When the [growing] season is over they take us out of school early and head north. I’m struggling in school. I want my brother to get the full education that I didn’t get.”

Julia Perkins, an organizer from the CIW said they hope the day’s events would “raise the visibility of the campaign” they lead in Florida and nationally.

NYU student and marcher Caitlin MacLaren, 20, learned of the campaign back in her hometown of Miami.

“I think it’s important that people respect where their food comes from. We all benefit from the work of farm workers. They deserve a fair wage – especially since they’re growing food for America,” she said.

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