tomatoes.

In 1960, just before Thanksgiving, CBS aired a documentary on migrant farmworkers entitled Harvest of Shame. Through the voices of farmworkers, the film revealed the extreme poverty of those who labored to put food on America's tables and ultimately beckoned the nation to seek justice beyond charity. As we watched this film in class recently, sadness overwhelmed me. Considering the conditions that people endured in the past, but also, the conditions that persist in the present for farmworkers. (Cue the oft quoted Faulkner-ism around here: "The past is never dead, its not even past.")

After watching Harvest of Shame, we read Tomatoland by Barry Estabrook. Content wise, this is one of the most important books we've read for our foodways class. From a the perspective of a journalist and food activist, this book exposes the environmental and social abuses of the modern day slavery system of the Florida tomato industry. The book also highlights the tireless work of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), which continues to fight for fair wages and labor practices. Just this week, the CIW started a campaign in North Carolina protesting Publix and Wendy's for their refusal to join other grocery stores and restaurants in supporting fair food practices for farmworkers. If you eat tomatoes, I encourage you to read Tomatoland and to explore the amazing organizing efforts of the CIW.

I can also recommend the recent documentary, Food Chains, which we also watched in class. A modern Harvest of Shame, this film allows the voices of farmworkers in Immokalee and other places to be heard as it highlights the work of the CIW.

I am incredibly thankful for the chance to celebrate a thanksgiving meal with my family soon and deeply grateful for all the hands involved in bringing the food we will eat to the table. As we sit down together, I hope we'll consider how we can support the livelihood and dignity of farmworkers.