Local Food Blighted By Slavery and Child Labor in California

by Mike Smith · 2009-10-07 11:30:00 UTC
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Local food becomes substantially less ethical when it's produced by slaves or kids. Modern slavery of agriculture workers in Florida is something we've campaigned against in the past. But Florida isn't unique is experiencing exploitative practices with "no access to the fresh food harvested for others' consumption, constant pesticide exposure, heat-related deaths, 12 to 14 hour work days and child labor" being all too routine on California's large farms.

Local food usually gets a big-tick from the sustainable food movement, and rightly so when it provides the sort of food that we grow in the right season, and the sort of food we can grow efficiently nearby — airmiles are not the be-and-end all remember! But when there's exploitation like this taking place you've got to be extra careful where you buy your food from. All the more reason to Get To Know Your Farmer; more on getting to know your farmer later this week!

Photo credit: MrMitch

Mike Smith
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