To many consumer in the U.S. , the food diligence is an abstract conception . When asked where their chicken or their tomatoes come from , many promptly reply , “ The grocery store . ”
But for others , the estimate is more vivid . When they think of the food on their tabular array , they remember of the farms where the solid food was harvested and the workers who travail in labor to grow that food . or else of a black abyss containing a food - generating machine , they see a specific person . However , in many cases in the state , that image is a dim one .
According to the Godhead of the Fair Food Project — the California Institute for Rural Studies in coaction with author and lensman Rick Nahmias — about 2.5 million U.S. farm workers receive an income of about $ 11,000 per twelvemonth , a wage that has n’t develop in the past 30 yr and is about half the 2009 poverty line for a fellowship of four .
The project ’s three - part on-line documentary , Fair Food : battleground to Table , takes a spirit at the realness of farm workers from three different linear perspective . In the first part , the infotainment shows the nearly striver - like workings conditions and the substandard livelihood environment that a tidy sum of farm worker brave out . The second part takes the position of farm owners who are working to implement comely labor movement standards and cultivate a communicatory kinship with farm doer . It show how these practices not only benefit the workers , but also the farm ’s productiveness . The final part chronicle the advocates whose missionary station is to modify the farm and food industry to concentrate on consumer consciousness of farm labor practices .
Although it ’s a short 20 minute , the documentary film give an introduction to the plight of farm worker and leaves the viewer wanting to do more — and that ’s just approximation the Lord had in judgement .
“ There are so many harsh exposés on farm prole — and rightfully so — but very little for people who wanted to go to the next level , ” said Nahmias , who served as the documentary ’s originative film director .
This documentary , he said , offers opportunity to mass who require to affect change and also look at farm that have a positive relationship with farm worker . It is an Department of Education dick point to raise awareness among educatee and university grouping , purveyor of produce for large pot , and corporal responsibleness governing body .
According to Nahmias , a great place for multitude advocating fair nutrient to start is thelocal granger ’ market place .
“ Have dialogues with the farmers about defrayal , living accommodations and conditions for farm doer and rent them have it off you care , ” he order .
He also suggested those who exploit at large companies with cafeterias to find out where their food is sourced from and expect into how to make for “ fair intellectual nourishment ” to the table .
In addition to being render online , Fair food for thought : Field to Tablewill be shown at the EcoFarm league Jan. 20 to 23 , 2010 , in Pacific Grove , Calif. , as well as other conference and universities around the country .
To view the docudrama or to learn more about farm worker emergence , visit the Fair Food Project’swebsite .
