Worker-Driven Social Responsibility Network

Tomatoes, Migrant Workers, and Modern Slavery

“Immokalee Florida is known for being the epicenter of tomato production in the US, responsible for producing 90 percent of all winter tomatoes consumed here. But not long ago Immokalee Florida was also known as being ground zero for modern-day slavery. Migrant workers would pick tomatoes without rest breaks in oppressive Florida heat. There was sexual assault, pay abuses and horrible working conditions.

Thankfully, in the case of Florida tomatoes, these abusive practices have almost completely disappeared thanks to a coalition of ingenious workers who were able to build partnerships with some of the biggest food brands in the country. This week, we’ll hear from Gerardo Reyes Chavez from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Adriana Rico from the Fair Food Standards Council, and Jim Brudney from Fordham University.

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