MTSO board votes to Support Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Campaign for Fair Food

The Methodist Theological School in Ohio Board of Trustees has acted in support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Campaign for Fair Food, which seeks to ensure livable wages and humane working conditions for agricultural workers who pick fruits and vegetables.  A proposal to take this action was brought to the board by Yvonne Zimmerman, associate professor of Christian ethics and associate academic dean, on behalf of a number of MTSO students, faculty and staff members who have worked with the CIW in support of the boycott.  Read the proposal in its entirety, here.

McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Chipotle, Whole Foods, Walmart and Trader Joe’s have signed Fair Food Agreements with the CIW. As buyers of Florida tomatoes, these companies agree to pay one additional cent per pound to support a wage increase for farm workers, and to comply with a code of conduct that includes zero tolerance for forced labor or sexual assault of workers.

The board voted unanimously Oct. 19 to endorse a boycott of Wendy's, which has declined to join other retail food companies that participate in the CIW's Fair Food Program.  Among the religious organizations that have supported the Campaign for Fair Food by endorsing the boycott of Wendy’s are the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Unitarian Universalist Association.  Learn more about the CIW's Campaign for Fair Food here.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio provides theological education and leadership in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in counseling, theological studies and practical theology, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

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CONTACT: 

Danny Russell, communications director
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322