Fair Trade: News & Updates

A stunning report in Axios paints a damning picture of widespread farm labor abuse in the US agricultural industry outside the protections of the Fair Food Program (FFP). 

Yet while federal prosecutions of forced labor operations grow more common in agriculture, many massive food corporations like the grocery giant Kroger continue to turn a blind eye to the extreme abuses of some of the most vulnerable workers at the bottom of their opaque supply chains, according to a shocking report, months in the making, by Richard Collings of Axios.  Meanwhile, according to the report, the lack of adequate resources for state and federal authorities to protect farmworkers is only making matters worse, and is likely allowing even more widespread exploitation of the agricultural workers who put food on our tables to go undetected. 

Against this backdrop of pervasive abuse, Worker-driven Social Responsibility programs like the Fair Food Program and Milk with Dignity are singled out by Axios as “key to ending widespread forced labor.”

The bullet-pointed report is a must-read.   We have included it here below in full to best share its urgent message: Forced labor is an appalling reality in US agriculture today, but there is a proven solution — the unique monitoring and enforcement mechanisms of the Fair Food Program, driven by workers as the frontline monitor of their own rights and backed by the purchasing power of the program’s participating buyers.

While the FFP rapidly expands across the US thanks in part to support from the US Department of Agriculture, its reach must continue to spread even further in order to turn the tide against forced labor. Key to its expansion are the CIW’s (Coalition of Immokalee Workers) legally-binding agreements with participating buyers, who commit to preferentially source from farms that comply with the FFP’s Code of Conduct, and to suspend purchases from farms that are suspended from the program for significant code violations.  Those market incentives drive compliance on participating farms and were the force behind the transformation of the Florida tomato industry from “ground zero for modern-day slavery,” in the words of federal prosecutors before the launch of the program in 2010, to what was called the “best workplace environment in US agriculture” by one human rights expert on the front page of the New York Times just three years later. 

Kroger, which for years has refused to join the Fair Food Program, has been linked to multiple modern slavery rings in recent years, including perhaps the largest in US history in Operation Blooming Onion. Despite this deplorable track record, Kroger declined to comment when asked by Axios for its response to its reporting. This unconscionable silence puts Kroger squarely on the wrong side of history, and if history has taught us anything, it is this: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.

The blog post discusses the challenges faced by small-scale avocado growers in Mexico, particularly those associated with bringing their produce to the US market. The author, Nicole Vitello, President of Oke USA, shares insights from her visit to PRAGOR, a Fairtrade avocado cooperative in Michoacán, Mexico.

The cooperative consists of 22 small-scale farmer members, each owning 15 hectares or less. The organization manages the purchase, packing, and export of avocados to the US through Equal Exchange. The pricing structure involves weekly negotiations between the general manager and farmers, with prices set by APEAM, a trade association. Organic avocados command a higher price in the export market.

Vitello emphasizes the unique approach of Equal Exchange in exclusively sourcing avocados from the co-op, negotiating prices in dollars, and avoiding brokers or middlemen. The cooperative follows Fair Trade principles, ensuring fair wages and conditions for farmers. The blog stresses the commitment to transparency, with avocados bearing the Equal Exchange logo and being packed in branded boxes labeled "Small Farmers, Big Change."

The post highlights the cooperative's focus on empowering small farmers as business people who take on risks beyond cultivation. Despite challenges, the supply chain aims to reflect the true cost of growing avocados, fostering a connection between consumers and the specific group of people involved in the production process. The author advocates for a deeper understanding of the avocado industry, shedding light on the complexities of pricing, market functions, and the farmers' role. Overall, the post underscores the cooperative's dedication to providing a genuine story about the origin and journey of avocados consumed in the US.

On January 23, Greater Cleveland Partnership got an early morning wake up call when Sam Allard of Axios Cleveland broke the story that a coalition of grassroots organizations led by Cleveland Owns, the InterReligious Task Force on Central America, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, and the Greater Cleveland Housing Justice Coalition would be leading a walkout at the second annual Sustainability Summit organized by Greater Cleveland Partnership.

The article narrates the story of Indigenous communities in the Ixquisis valley in north-west Guatemala facing a conflict over a hydroelectric project by the company Energía y Renovación. The company promised development benefits, but locals, led by figures like Juan Alonzo and María Bautista, opposed it due to environmental concerns and false promises. The opposition intensified, leading to violent clashes and the death of Sebastián Alonzo in 2017. The article highlights the dangers faced by environmental activists in Latin America and the pivotal role of women like Bautista in opposing the project. Their efforts, including legal actions, led to the withdrawal of funding for the project in 2022, emphasizing the importance of protecting water resources for the Indigenous communities. Despite the setback, Energía y Renovación remains determined to continue the project.

Welcome to the vibrant celebration of human rights at the IRTF's 43rd Annual Commemoration Program, Fiesta De Derechos Humanos! As we gather to honor and reflect on the enduring pursuit of justice, this program book serves as a testament to the diverse voices advocating for human rights around the globe. Join us in commemorating the progress made and acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in our collective journey towards a more just and equitable world. Through engaging narratives, powerful testimonials, and inspiring perspectives, Fiesta De Derechos Humanos encapsulates the essence of our shared commitment to fostering a world where human rights flourish for all.

To view the entire program book visit: https://tinyurl.com/Commemoration23

Thanks to everyone who showed their support for a just, alternative economy by attending the Ohio Fair Trade Teach-In and Expo 2023 at John Carroll on October 7. We were really pleased by the large turn-out and the sales generated to provide vital income to fair trade artisans and farmers in the Global South. Special thanks to all our co-sponsors and volunteers (especially John Carroll students) who made this event possible. A big shout-out to the students from five schools (members of Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice) who modeled in our Fair Trade Fashion Show!

Here is a list of 10 ways you can celebrate Fair Trade Month: meet farmers via online educational forums,  learn about fair trade marketing and merchandising, get discounts on ethically-sourced Halloween chocolate, support Ohio fair trade nonprofits like One World Shop, and more.