A-Infos (en) "Whole Foods Market" not Wholesome to Strawberry Workers

["Lyn Gerry" <redlyn@loop.com>]

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From:             Comrade <comrade@rootmedia.org
Subject:          fwd: whole foods

Hi, folks.  I just found this on the UFW's website and wanted to share
it with people who may not have seen it.  While my experiences may be
unique to someone who eats in a co-op that debates its food poolicies
to some length, I have heard numerous people suggest that the fact
that food is produced organically implies that the workers who produce
it are well-treated.  Images of bucolic, harmonious farms where
everyone is in touch with the earth and each other are evoked.  I
don't mean to suggest that such farms don't exist, and I have great
respect for those that are run justly (and often co-operatively).

However, I think that this offers some prooof that this is not always
the case. The term"whole foods," as many may know, generally refers to
food that free fromartificial chemical additives and is processed or
manufactured as little as possible (thus retaining an optimum level of
nutrients and remaining "whole"). This generally implies that a "whole
food" is organic.  But as the following text makes clear, it does not
ensure that workers are well-treated, let alone that there is anything
resembling workplace democracy.  I hope that people will keep in mind
the need to research this, whether shopping at Whole Foods Market
(which is the business described below), or when buying any other
organic food products.  The concept of organic fod production is
great, but one can't simply assume that it translates to the greatest
reality for workers.
                                             -Matt Borus

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                            THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT
                                WHOLE FOODS

Whole Foods Market says its committed to healthy lifestyles and
enriching  the lives of all who come in contact with us."

Strawberry workers know that's not true.

The 20,000 strawberry pickers in California who harvest 80% of
America's  berries work sunsise-to-sunset days for less than 
$9,000 a season. Just 5 cents more per pint could raise their 
wages by 50%. They're struggling for basic rights--like the 
freedom to join together in a union to improve their lives. 

Thousands of supermarkets support the strawberry workers. But 
not whole Foods. What else isn't Whole Foods telling you?

 BACKGROUNDER

Last year the UFW sent Whole Foods a letter asking the company to
support  the strawberry workers campaign for justice, but Whole 
Foods refused. The refusal was not surprising considering past 
actions of the Whole Foods Market.

    I. November 11, 1988, four activists were arrested at Whole Foods
    Market (914 Lamar) in Austin, Texas while distributing UFW Grape
    Boycott literature. Following a law suit, the company entered into
    a separate agreement with the UFW, which it has subsequently
    breached.

    II. In the winter of 1996, the UFW sent a letter to Whole Foods
    CEO John Mackey requesting that Whole Foods join 5,000 other
    grocery stores and sign  a pledge and support strawberry 
    workers -- but Whole Foods didn't    even bother responding.

    Next, supporters of the Strawberry Workers Campaign hand delivered
    a letter     to Whole Foods headquarters. The letter asked Whole 
    Foods to sign a pledge.  Whole Foods responded by passing out 
   propaganda to customers in some stores full of distorted facts 
   and half-truths:

    * Whole Foods material claimed that the UFW is not concerned about
    sustainable agriculture. Yet the UFW's mission statement that
    defines the values and role of the organization clearly states a 
    commitment to "promote    and create a safe and healthful food 
    supply for agricultural workers and consumers."

    * Whole Foods claimed in the same leaflet that they "will fully
   support the union if that is what the workers decide." Yet, 
   Whole Foods CEO  John Mackey has spouted anti-union rhetoric 
   for years. "Here's the way I like to think of it. The union is 
   like having herpes. It doesn't kill you, but it's unpleasant and 
   inconvenient and it stops a lot of people from becoming your    
   lover," said Mackey (Business and Society Review, 6/22/92).

    Mackey even wrote a twenty page article entitled "Beyond Unions"
    that details his anti-union philosophy. In this article, Mackey
    clearly states     that "...unions are not part of the solution 
    at Whole Foods Market. Rather,     they are part of the 
    problem..."

    * Whole Foods also distributed a handout written by the Strawberry
    Workers and Farmers Alliance, a front organization for 
    strawberry corporate interests. The Strawberry Workers and 
    Farmers Alliance is closely associated with the right wing 
    public relations firm  "the Dolphin group".

    The Dolphin group developed the infamous Willie Horton ads and
    created multiple front groups for monied interests like tobacco
    company Phillip Morris over the last twenty years. They've been
    hired by agricultural industry giants in nearly every UFW campaign
    for justice since the mid 1960's. Why is Whole Foods relying on
    information from a group with this kind of track record?

    III. Whole Foods' material given to customers stated that they
    would visit strawberry workers in the field "in the next few 
   weeks" and report back to customers. That was months ago and 
   still no word. Instead, Whole Foods went  to the "Agricultural 
   Workers Committee", yet another front group put together by big 
   strawberry corporate interests, for their information. We     
   challenge Whole Foods to get the whole truth.

   Here's the part of the story that Whole Foods isn't telling 
   you: California strawberry pickers work 10-12 hours days for 
   less than $9,000 a    season. They are exposed to toxic 
   pesticides. They are struggling for basic rights to improve 
   their lives. Despite the odds, strawberry workers are forming 
   organizations in the fields to make their voices heard. They're 
   doing it with the help of supporters around the country 
   including women's and civil rights groups, clergy, students and 
   environmentalists.

    We ask grocery stores to show their support by joining the
    strawberry workers organizing campaign for justice and nearly
    5,000 stores have signed a pledge but not Whole Foods. It's 
    time that consumers knew the whole truth about Whole Foods.



                      CALL WHOLE FOODS AT: 512-477-4455

and tell Whole Foods to support strawberry workers!


    For more information cantact: The Strawberry Workers Campaign, a
    project of  the United Farn Workers, 408-761-7173.

    No dispute with this store, no request to cease services or halt
    deliveries.

    Whole Foods Market includes Unicorn Whole Foods Market, Wellspring
   Grocery,   Bread & Circus Whole Foods Market, Fresh Fields & 
   Mrs. Gooch's  Whole Foods  Markets.





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