Fair Food Program’s Post

Leadership is tough. It's easy when the decisions you have to make are popular or 'normal' progressive. It is tough when your decision isn't what other 'progressive' companies do. It is tough when you have to lead with those values even when it isn't mainstream progressive - especially when it isn't mainstream progressive. About to go buy a Patagonia jacket and this made me smile even more. No, not buying it because of it but my old jacket is simply done. We run through them Washington state! We looked at a few options and kept on going back to "if we are going to spend a decent amount of money on a jacket, it better align with my values". Well, it should align with my values no matter what the price. Patagonia has always made this easy for me. They don't claim to be perfect - in fact, they make a point of reminding people they are not. This one was even more personal - unionization of Patagonia. My first job as an anti-Apartheid activist and in post-Apartheid South Africa was with the unions. Specifically the Southern African Clothing and Textile Worker's Unions (SACTWU). That was where I cut my teeth and was taught everything I know today - from a sense of justice to marketing with a twist. My early career was with the unions and they taught me more about how to treat people than any organization ever. They taught me what it meant to lead and what it meant to be together like no one else. They taught me how to do things differently - and how to respect resources because you never have enough. Unions are simply the only effective way to protect workers and look after their rights. No other organization is established purely to look after the workers and advance their rights. Period. Companies will - and do - fire workers at will even when they claim that they look after them and that everyone is part of a 'family'. Even my favorite companies fight the unions - Starbucks, Amazon, Apple, Chipotle have all fought unionization. I still love them, I just don't admire them as much as I admire and love Patagonia or Levi's. (Levi's and our love for them in South Africa runs deep in our union blood. They were there for us when no one else were. That is a story for another day.) Thank you Patagonia for letting your people decide what is best for them. Thank you for being a shining light even when it is tough to be that shining light. Solidarity forever. https://lnkd.in/gVYh_fnT

Axios' report highlights some of the vulnerabilities of agricultural workers with H-2A visas: Migrant workers are often tied to a single employer (usually a farm labor contractor) on whom they have to rely for nearly everything, from housing and transportation to health care...this setup allows forced labor to take root and thrive. And yes, food supply chains are incredibly complex, which is why it's no surprise that *labor contractors* serve to further obfuscate abuses. Also: Fewer than 1% of agricultural employers are investigated annually, but WHD finds wage and hour violations in 70% of its investigations ❗️❗️❗️

Alleged Coffee-Linked Forced Labor Sparks Fiery Backlash from McDonald's, Nestle!" Global household names like McDonald's and Nestle are fighting back against accusations of forced labor in their supply chains. These allegations, stemming from civil society groups, claim that ties to forced labor in Brazil have tainted their sourcing process. McDonald's, a corporation that prides itself on sustainable sourcing quickly countered, asserting their commitment to ethical practices and respect for human rights while their high-quality products depend on it. An alarming report fueled this controversy, accusing coffee farms of selling directly to these big brands, despite alleged forced labor practices. Brazil, a country renowned for its coffee production, has a bittersweet legacy. Since 1995, measures have been relentlessly taken to unveil forced labor cases. A sobering 3,700 workers were discovered in "slave-like conditions" from 1996 to 2023. But ever since, the battle against forced labor has been an uphill one. The government has backed down on its efforts, typified by the suspension of the "Dirty List", and the redefinition of "slave-like work". Cooxupe, a significant player in the debate, has been linked to farms notorious for violating labor rights. Shockingly, workers were rescued from these farms, having endured withheld wages and unlawful deductions. This unrest is not confined to one farm but extends to many, including those certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Big corporations, such as Starbucks and Nestle, face criticism for relying on certification schemes that are allegedly flawed. Workers were rescued from certified farms linked to these companies. Disturbingly, these farms were certified under C.A.F.E. Practices and Rainforest Alliance, yet harbored "undignified conditions that amounted to modern slavery. Yet, despite these harrowing reports, companies continue to defend their forced labor prevention practices. Starbucks, for instance, emphasizes the importance of the verification program in monitoring the quality of coffee. Similarly, McDonald’s, JDE Peet’s, and Illycaffe reiterate their staunch opposition to forced labor, outlining their compliance procedures and dedication to sustainable sourcing. These are troubled waters indeed for these global giants. Will we see a shift in sourcing practices, or will the bitter taste of unethical labor continue to linger in our daily cup of joe? What's your take on this? #compliance #importcompliance #tradelaw

🌍 Why Bristol Businesses Should Address Food Insecurity 🌍 Part 2 of our blog series dives deeper into why food insecurity impacts everyone—businesses included. Supporting local food security through the Bristol Local Food Fund isn’t just an ESG goal; it’s about fostering a resilient, healthy community. Engaging with food justice aligns businesses with community values, boosts employee engagement, and builds brand trust. Let’s work together to create sustainable, inclusive change in Bristol. 💚 Read more on how you can make an impact https://lnkd.in/dXBMuJ2r

As part of a multi-stakeholder coalition this is our call to action for companies to address violence and harassment in their supply chains This year marks the 5th anniversary of ILO Convention 190 (hashtag #C190), that established the first international labour standard to provide a common framework to prevent, remedy and eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work. However, there is still much progress to be made when it comes to implementation and the transformation of workplace policies, practices and culture – and businesses have a key role to play.

In a world where child labour and forced labour are prevalent in the cocoa sector, retailers have a crucial role to play in upholding human rights within their direct operations and throughout their supply chain by conducting ongoing, risk-based human rights due diligence (HRDD). ICI, together with the European sustainable cocoa platforms, recently hosted a webinar to discuss this important topic. Panellists discussed the unique challenges that retailers face, best practice and the way forward. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4h1DDWL #HRDD #CS3D #ChildLabour #ForcedLabour #Webinar

Many workers in the meat processing industry do not receive the pay or benefits needed to be economically secure. The treacherous working conditions affect some of our most vulnerable compatriots, including undocumented workers and even children who have been found to be working in these facilities. These challenges are not new — Upton Sinclair famously described them in “The Jungle” over 100 years ago — but they can be solved. Join the Food and Society at Aspen Institute and The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program for a virtual conversation, "Workers on the Line: Improving Jobs in Meat and Poultry Processing,” on Tuesday, March 19 at 2 p.m. EDT. Panelists will discuss the challenges workers face, ideas for improving their jobs and well-being, and the policies and practices to reshape this industry and build a sustainable system where workers, consumers, and businesses thrive together. Register here: as.pn/meat and join the conversation online using the hashtag #TalkOpportunity.

So you want to take on more “responsibility” in your job? Are you sure about this? Isn’t it really “authority” that you’re after? And maybe the accompanying pay raise? Albert Grimm, head grower for Jeffery’s Greenhouses in St. Catharines, Ontario, asks these questions and reflects on the importance of TRUST in his “Growers Talk Production” column in this month’s issue of GrowerTalks magazine. Excerpt: How do we create a culture of trust? It requires commitment from everyone, management and staff, independent of where they find themselves in the hierarchy of an organization. Specialized external consultants can help start this process. In the meantime, there are some principles we can implement in our daily work lives … Read the FULL STORY here: https://lnkd.in/gE8e4wax #greenhouse #horticulture #business #HR #labor #youngprofessionals #growertalks #editorial #ballpublishing

RIGHT TO SAFETY Means right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services.The purchased goods and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs, but also fulfil long term interests. Before purchasing, consumers should insist on the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the products and services.Preferably purchase quality marked products such as ISI,AGMARK RIGHT TO BE INFORMED Consumer should insist on getting all the information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. This will enable him to act wisely and responsibly and also enable him to desist from falling prey to high pressure selling techniques. RIGHT TO CHOOSE Right to be assured, wherever possible of access to variety of goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies, right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price. It includes right to basic goods and services,because unrestricted right of the minority to choose can mean a denial for the majority of its fair share. The right can be better exercised in a competitive market where a variety of goods are available at competitive prices. RIGHT TO BE HEARD Consumer's interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes right to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer's welfare.Consumers should form non-political and non-commercial consumer organizations that can be given representation in various committees formed by the Government and other bodies in matters relating to consumers. RIGHT TO REDRESS Right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It include right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer. Consumers must make complaints for their genuine grievances.Many times their complaint may be of small value but its impact on the society as a whole may be very large. They can take the help of consumer organizations in seeking redressal of their grievances. RIGHTS TO HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT According to IOCU,The right to a healthy environment means the right to a physical environment that will enhance the quality of life. This involves protection against environmental problems over which the individual consumer has no control. It acknowledges the need to protect,improve the environment for present and future. RIGHT TO BASIC NEEDS According to IOCU, the right to basic needs means that availability of articles which are the basic needs of every consumer must be ensured. This is the right to have access to basic and essential goods and services, such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water, and sanitation. RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION Right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life.Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them.

Though they are often considered “soft” corporate initiatives, the data shows Social Responsibility and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) programs improve business resilience, innovation and supply chain stability, as well as boosting worker wellbeing and productivity, protecting businesses from costly controversies, and mitigating disruptions in operations. In early 2023, Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability engaged Ocean Strategies, Inc. and Totem Consulting to explore the intersection of DEIA and Social Responsibility in the policies and practices of some of the nation’s largest companies in the seafood supply chain. The research was geared at better understanding how companies can leverage each of these topics to amplify the other. Read FishWise’s summary article for actionable insights as you build, grow and possibly intertwine your DEIA and Social Responsibility programs.