Religious leaders stand up for farmworkers against Trader Joes ~ @ciw #trafficking

Religious allies take a stand in Trader Joe's campaign! Southern California religious leaders, Rabbis for Human Rights make their voices heard loud and clear in growing call for Trader Joe's to support Fair Food Program... One week out from the big march to Trader Joe's corporate headquarters in Monrovia, CA, Southern California faith community allies -- including religious leaders from Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) of both Los Angeles and Orange County and National Farm Worker Ministry -- have issued a powerfully-worded sign-on letter to Trader Joe's CEO Dan Bane. Here is an extended excerpt from the moving letter: "... Trader Joe’s puzzling and misleading public statements about the Fair Food agreements and the company’s attempts to foist responsibility off on their wholesalers illustrates the extent to which Trader Joe’s has not yet even understood the basics. We find this inexcusable given that the CIW has been willing to meet in person with Trader Joe's, has shared the template of the Code of Conduct, and has an indisputable track record of working conscientiously and successfully with other major corporations. The Fair Food agreements are being implemented now and dramatically improving the lives of farmworkers. That Trader Joe’s would scorn these agreements and their achievements is, frankly, unconscionable. As people of faith we believe that all people are created by God for good purpose: to dwell justly with one another and to care for all creation. Farmworkers, corporate executives, growers and consumers depend upon another to grow, harvest, sell and obtain the food we need for ourselves and our families. Trader Joe’s has a reputation as an ethical company; it is one of the reason members of our congregations shop at your store. You have an opportunity here to do what is right and good; to make an historic contribution to transforming this part of our food system into one that ensures well-being for all. This is not the first time corporate executives or growers have had to decide what to do. We hope that you will follow the example of Jon Esformes, a principle in Pacific Tomato, when at a press conference he said, “you wake up and you realize that maybe this is something we could have done yesterday, but I am certainly not going to wait until tomorrow.” Mr Bane, do not wait. Work now with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to forge a Fair Food agreement of which that you, your company and your customers can be proud. Use your power to help rectify rights of farmworkers long trampled that the dawn of a new day in the Florida tomato fields might blaze into bright morning light." read more If you are a faith leader in Southern California and would like to add your name, there is still time! Send an email to info@justharvestusa.org to sign-on today. Meanwhile, visit the CIW website today to continue reading this post for more on the faith community front in the Campaign for Fair Food! Thanks - Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Coalition of Immokalee Workers • PO Box 603, Immokalee, FL 34143 • (239) 657-8311 • workers@ciw-online.org