The agreement with Subway follows on the heels of similar wage and working condition agreements with Yum! Brands — the parent of Taco Bell — as well as Burger King, McDonald’s and Whole Foods grocery stories.
Florida U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders issued a statement saying, “The agreement between Subway and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers is yet another blow to the scourge of slavery that continues to exist in the tomato fields of Florida. Subway is to be congratulated for moving to ensure that none of its products are harvested by slave or near-slave labor. Sadly, too many other companies continue to tolerate this travesty.”
Support for the CIW is part of the PC(USA)’s “Campaign for Fair Food,” which addresses justice issues in all phases of the world’s food production and distribution systems. “Fair food” could become an industry watchword, said Sherri Daye Scott, editor of QSR, a North Carolina-based food service industry magazine.
“I haven’t heard any rumblings yet beyond the tomato pickers,” Scott said, “but it could gain traction. Look at food safety — five, 10 years ago, you didn’t hear much about it. Now it’s everywhere. The same thing could happen with transparency in the food supply chain.”
