Montgomery, AL

The weekend kicked of on Friday in Montgomery, AL, where allies made the rounds visiting three different Publix locations over the course of the afternoon. Reactions were mixed - one manager asked allies to leave while another knowingly read the script sent along by corporate - but the message was consistent: Fair Food cannot wait!

Outside the store, allies fliered around 200 customers, many of whom stopped to hear about Publix's resistance to the Fair Food Program.

Sarasota, FL


New College students join forces with some young CIW members

In Sarasota, students at New College organized a colorful, spirited protest and once again came face to face with Publix's finest. Badgering students with irrelevant questions while filming like a well-trained corps of paparazzi, the Lakeland emissaries even called the police on a hungry Presbyterian pastor who dared to enter their store in search of a sandwich.

Plant City, FL

Members of the Florida Immigrant Coalition protest outside Publix in Plant City

Following a meeting of the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) in Plant City on Saturday, Fair Food supporters gathered outside a nearby Publix. A lively picket ensued, maintaining its momentum despite Publix's unannounced attempts to tow protestors' cars from the parking lot.

During the delegation, a Lakeland representative spoke for local management, offering the ever popular "Put it in the price" defense. Given the CIW's thorough response to this argument published back in April 2011, we can only assume Publix has some other, unspoken reason for resisting the Fair Food Program...

Orlando, FL


Students from Boone High School join the picket line in Orlando (Photo: Monica Joyce)

Horns honked their support up and down Colonial Drive as the Fair Food Nation rolled deep in Orlando on Sunday. Students from nearby Boone High School joined students and professors from the University of Central Florida to convey their message loud and clear: "Enough with the lies, Publix, it's time to join the Fair Food Program."

Tampa, FL


USF Student Miguel Martinez shows his support for the Fair Food Program

Over 100 farmworkers and allies converged upon Tampa for the weekend's largest picket. Students from the University of South Florida, Tampa Bay Fair Food, and United We Dream - Tampa Bay were in the house, accompanied by a sizeable delegation from Immokalee.

Cruz Salucio of the CIW delegated the store with local allies, carrying with him a message of hope: "We look forward to the day when Publix joins farmworkers at the table."

Knoxville, TN


Photo by Allison Farnum

Members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church and Interfaith Worker Justice were met with this sign outside the local Publix in Knoxville. Despite the lukewarm reception, delegates delivered their message to a corporate rep from Atlanta. We also took it upon ourselves to create our own version of the sign above. It reads:

NOTICE TO PUBLIX

Your customers believe that farmworkers have the right to live in dignity. We apologize for speaking the truth, but it's been nearly four years since the CIW first requested a dialogue with your decision makers. Given that you've thus far rebuffed every attempt at meaningful conversation -- refusing to speak directly with farmworkers, much less acknowledge the harsh realities within your own supply chain -- we have found it necessary to take to the streets. We look forward to the day when you recognize farmworkers' humanity and sit down with us at the Fair Food table.

THANK YOU

Homestead, FL


CIW member Nely Rodriguez explains the importance of the Fair Food Program to a Publix manager in Homestead

Steadfast allies WeCount! played host to a joint delegation of mothers and children from the farmworking communities of Homestead and Immokalee on Monday. Traveling to four different store locations, the group explained the potential for Publix to help combat sexual abuse in the fields and ensure that agricultural workers are able to provide for their families by supporting the Fair Food Program.

Nashville, TN


Photo by Vanderbilt Fair Food

Veering northward to Nashville, Vanderbilt University students delivered a letter to a nearby store manager later that same day. With Publix's own Labor Day posters in the background, they explained why farmworkers are asking Publix to sign the Fair Food agreement. Predictably, students were met with the well-worn "Publix will not get involved in improving conditions for farmworkers."

Seriously, Publix, this broken record is getting really old...

Miami, FL



In Miami, the new SFA chapter at FIU gathered 115 handwritten letters, which students strung together in a long chain before walking single file through the store in search of a manager. Unaccompanied by the usual Lakeland entourage, management was actually given the chance to discuss and comprehend the issue at hand.

If only their higher-ups could bring themselves to do the same...

Tampa, FL



And so for now -- despite Publix's inexplicable resistance and unfortunate behavior -- we remain optimistic. This is a movement, after all: one that's creating real, lasting effects on people's lives (and inviting plenty of music and ánimo along the way!)

Ultimately, there's no question whether Publix will join the the Fair Food Program; it's simply a matter of time. We just hope it's sooner rather then later. If not, Lakeland can rest assured that we've got plenty of energy to keep things interesting!