To activists with the South Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Publix has become something of a White Whale.
The group, which consists largely of farmworkers, has succeeded at getting the likes of McDonald's, Taco Bell and Whole Foods to pay slightly more for their tomatoes, money that is then supposed to go directly toward farmworker wages.
But Publix, which got approval from the Florida Board of Governors (the entity that oversees the state's university system), to build one of its grocery stores on the University of South Florida campus, has insisted that the coalition's beef should really be with the companies that supply the tomatoes, not the ones that sell them to consumers.
The grocery giant lauded the new proposal as a way to boost student success via access to decent, affordable food. From a media release the company sent out Thursday:
USF’s agreement with Publix includes a 21-year ground lease with six five-year term extensions for a store to be built at the southeast corner of Fletcher Avenue and North Palm Drive, which is currently unused land. The site will be an integral part of USF’s new Student Housing Village, which was supported by the BOG in November as the largest public-private partnership project ever approved by the board. Construction of the village is expected to begin later this year.
“The entire campus community is thrilled and excited to welcome Publix – one of Florida’s most respected companies – to our campus,” said USF System President Judy Genshaft. “Our students’ top request was to bring a grocery store to campus so that we could create a healthy living and learning environment that fully supports them in their goals and ambitions. This Publix location will bring a great dimension to our new student village and create a vibrant and welcoming environment on the Tampa campus.”
The workers aren't having it, though, according to this letter the group penned to the USF Board of Trustees earlier this month:
In its mission and vision, USF strives to promote civic culture and build sustainable communities. By rejecting the Fair Food Program, Publix is actively refusing to take responsibility for its role in creating the conditions for the poverty and abuse faced by the farmworkers who not only make the company’s profits possible, but who are their — and our — Florida neighbors. As responsible citizens and USF community members, we believe entering into business with Publix, a grocer that has shamefully and consciously turned its back on basic human rights for farmworkers for years, is inconsistent with USF’s values.
The new store could open on campus as early as 2017.
CIW is also seeking to get fast food giant Wendy's to change its ways.
This article appears in Jan 21-27, 2016.