Social Justice
Agricultural Justice Project
Florida Organic Growers (FOG) has collaborated since 1999 in the development of the Agricultural Justice Project (AJP), which aims to to build a model of an alternative food system by creating an
economic incentive for social equity and just working conditions through the
establishment of a social justice food label that can be adapted for use anywhere in the world. The standards for such
a label are based on the complementary principles of economic equity for the
farmer and just working conditions for the farmworker, resulting in a win/win/win
scenario in which farm workers and farmers – and ultimately, consumers – all
benefit.
The Food Justice Certified label is now available to farms and food businesses that qualify. AJP rewards honest and open relationships between farmers and buyers and with people working in their fields, all the way up the food chain to those stocking local grocery shelves or serving food in restaurants – something not included in National Organic Program standards. The label can be used as an additional claim along with certified organic, and as a stand-alone label for farms using advanced integrated pest management. A pledge certification for small-scale direct market farms with limited hired labor will also be made available. This certification is unique in the high level of integrity set by the comprehensive standards, the non-proprietary approach and the inclusion of farm worker organizations in the audit.
FOG is bringing food justice certification to farms and businesses in the South by providing technical assistance, tools and free food justice certification to farms with support from a SSARE grant awarded in 2009. AJP is also offering trainings for existing not-for profit certifiers and farm worker organizations to ensure that the verification process has integrity without excessive costs.
Through its food justice certification program and development of tools, trainings and policies, AJP is transforming the dominant food system that has failed its workers and farmers into one where human rights and dignity are valued and rewarded. In addition to environmental standards, the third-party Food Justice Certified label means the highest standards of equity and fairness have been met, respecting all those who labor together to bring food to the table – making our meals truly digestible.
AJP’s food justice certification covers fair conditions and relationships for:
• Farmers and Buyers
• Farmworkers and Food Business Workers
• Farm Interns
• Children on Farms
• Protection of the environment (organic and sustainable farming practices)
• A way for all people who labor in the food system to have a way to submit a complaint and a dependable process for resolving conflicts
For information and questions about the standards, trainings and technical assistance email Sally Lee at the Rural Advancement Foundation International. To sign up for participation in the launch of the program in the South email Leah Cohen or visit www.foginfo.org/ssarejustice. Project partners are Florida Organic Growers, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, Comite de Apoyo
a los Trabajadores Agricolas/Farmworker Support Committee, Fundacion RENACE and the Northeast Organic Farming Association.