Aramark

Yes I know it's that time of year - holiday time is here again, but lets not forget that the Campaign for Fair Food continues to toil year round!

Students and allies across the country continue to protest the fact that at numerous campus' Aramark refuses to discuss the topic of most interest ... where does the food which is consumed at these dining facilites really come from? Specifically the tomatoes? Various studies have shown that these tomatoes come from the Florida fields. Not only the fact that the tomatoes come from these fields but additionally the high price of dining at a campus facility make it a shame that the people who harvest these tomatoes earn so little on a daily basis, and yet corporations such as Aramark are making a profit. Yes - a profit from the back breaking labor of harvesting these crops to bring them to the table. These workers must often work 10 - 14 hours a days in order to earn an approximate wage of $50.00.

Everyone out there who attends a collge, university and/or all allies please do not forget to keep toiling after the holidays to bring the Campaign for Fair Food to the forefront of all Aramark offices on each and every campus nationwide...the CIW/SFA needs all our support year round!

www.ciw-0nline.org or www.sfalliance.org

FRIENDS

Over this past weekend we learned that two of our own were engaged! Melody Gonzales & Luis Rivera.

Melody has worked & lived in Immokalee working closely with the CIW - translating at all the functions and/or rallies. She has been affiliated with the struggle for many years. Melody is now back in California and working with Fair Food Across Borders.

Hector lives in Chicago, he is a strong supporter and ally of the CIW, he along with other friends have formed the the musical group BUYA, which we hope will play at their upcoming nuptials!

Chicago Communities for Fair Food congratulate the couple and know that they will continue with the struggle because after all "La Lucha Sigue" .... Publix & Aramark people power will prevail...sooner or later !!!

www.ciw-online.org

Walk & Rally in Lakeland

This past weekend's Walk & Rally in Lakeland, Florida @ Publix, one of the southeasts major grocery chains was a huge success, 500+ students, people of faith, and allies from across the country turned out for this 2.5 mile walk to show support and solidarity with the CIW/SFA.

Local allies in the Chicago land area headed south for the huge turnout to stand in solidarity and show support for the CIW.

The message to Publix has been that there is no fair market for slavery. Coverage in the newspapers and radio stations in the southeast has been excellent, Publix declared that they do not interfere in a labor dispute, this in fact is not a labor dispute, it is in fact trying to hold Publix accountable for all the advertising that they are family friendly, and help the community; Publix needs to slow down and learn what the actual intent is...stop purchasing from their tomatoes from the suppliers who have been successfully prosecuted in slavery cases.

If Publix continues to refuse to listen and/or work with the CIW, be warned, Publix, the CIW does not back down, this is only the start of the campaign, "People united will never be defeated" and allies from Chicago will continue to make the treke south to help out when needed!


To learn more log onto: www.ciw-online.org