Tipping Point, Vol. 2: “I will now make better and more informed choices when shopping… and will take my business elsewhere.”

 

Long-time Publix customers joining a farmworkers for one of thousands of protests outside Publix (2013).
Long-time Publix customers joining farmworkers for a protest outside the Florida grocer in 2013.  In spite of its popularity  in the state of Florida, Publix’s indefensible rejection of the Fair Food Program is costing the company countless once-loyal customers.

 

Former producer of Publix video advertisements and longtime customer is “appalled” by grocer’s rejection of Fair Food Program, pledges support for farmworkers…

Today, we bring you the second installment of our “Tipping Point” series.  The series will feature a daily letter, email or article penned by consumers who — in the wake the recent groundbreaking Fair Food agreement with Ahold USA and brilliant report from CBS Sunday Morning — can no longer abide the excuses and smoke screens thrown up by Publix, Wendy’s, and Kroger in justifying their rejection of the Program.

One of the most striking themes in this flood of recent messages from consumers is that even longtime customers and associates of Publix, which has over 760 stores across the state of Florida alone and commands the loyalty of tens of thousands of consumers, have come to find the company’s position unconscionable.  In fact, many of these customers have been so taken aback by Publix’s six-year disregard for farmworkers that, even after years of loyal shopping, they have sworn to withdraw their business entirely — with the condition that they will only return once Publix commits to Fair Food.

One such long-time Florida customer is Lisa Moody, a professor at the Ringling School of Art and Design and an Emmy Award-winning TV producer who, in the course of her illustrious career, worked on Publix’s popular “Aprons” short videos.  Just hours after watching the CBS Sunday Morning segment profiling the Fair Food Program, she sent us this letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

I saw the excellent segment on Fair Food today on CBS Sunday Morning.  First, let me commend you for the work you’re doing.  Second, let me say shame on me for being so uninformed.  I am a big supporter to end factory farming, yet I had no idea this was going on right here with my own neighbors (I live in Tampa Bay).  When I was a child in the 70’s, I remember the grape picker’s strikes, and naively, I thought that put an end to all migrant worker’s wage and treatment issues.  Sadly, I was clueless.

The first thing I did after the show was look up Publix, only to find they don’t support Fair Food practices.  Appalling.  I wrote and produced their Apron’s spots for many years, and have been a loyal Publix shopper for decades.  I will now make better and more informed choices when shopping for produce, and will take my business elsewhere.  

I signed up for your newsletter this morning and will support CIW on social media, spread the word about Publix and look for other opportunities to get involved.

Interestingly, in response to my Facebook post today, I had several friends say they were clueless as well, and are electing to boycott Publix as a result. 

On your site I read the list of reasons Publix gives for not being involved and they are quite frankly, lame excuses.  I’m so glad you’re receiving a good response from this morning’s airing.  I’m not surprised — it was an excellent segment.  

I look forward to returning to Publix as a loyal customer as soon as they join the Fair Food Program and do the right thing for Florida farmworkers.

Thanks again for your diligent work, and if there are additional ways I can be involved I would certainly volunteer my time and skills.

Sincerely,

Lisa

Lisa Moody, Executive Producer
TinWoman, Inc.

We certainly are fortunate to count Lisa as one of the Campaign for Fair Food’s newest friends and allies — and we daresay that she is not alone in her sentiments.  Make sure to check back tomorrow for the next installment of powerful messages from Publix’s longtime customers…