Wednesday, September 27, 12midnight-12midnight, many different times and locations around the world

Since 1993, thousands of farmworkers with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and their consumer allies have demanded protections against sexual violence and other human rights abuses in the corporate supply chain through the Fair Food Program. After several successful campaigns, the Fair Food Program is now backed by 14 major buyers, including Walmart, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, protecting tens of thousands of farmworkers. But Kroger has refused to join for over a decade despite findings of forced labor in its supply chain.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Government revealed [in U.S. v. Moreno] that Kroger bought watermelons harvested by workers held in modern-day slavery and sold them to unsuspecting consumers around the country.

This case was brought to light after two workers escaped from a forced labor camp, hid in the trunk of a car, and called the Coalition of Immokalee Workers for help. There is a festering human rights crisis in Kroger’s supply chain, and we are calling on all allies to stand in solidarity with farmworkers demanding justice.

On Wednesday, September 27, we ask that you call, e-mail, and “live-chat” with Kroger representatives to demand that the grocery giant join the Fair Food Program.

Five ways to pressure Kroger to join the Fair Food Program

On Wednesday, September 27, the Fair Food Nation will call on Kroger to demand that they join the Presidential Medal-winning Fair Food Program in light of well-documented cases of modern-day slavery in Kroger’s supply chain. 

Ready to go? Here are five ways that you can join farmworkers and the Fair Food Nation to easily participate on September 27.

1. Call Kroger 

Dial 1-800-576-4377.

To speak with a service representative, press “8” and then “3” after listening to the menu options. Once they are on the line, let them know that it’s time for Kroger to join the Fair Food Program! We have a suggested script below, which you can read to the representative.

2. Start a live chat with Kroger and copy/paste script

Click “Launch Live Chat” at kroger.com/hc/help/contact-us. 

You can skip the menu options by typing “speak to human” into the chat until the automated service connects you with an agent. You do not have to provide your name or e-mail address. You can press “skip” on all options about which department and issue you wish to direct your chat. Kroger’s automated service will then connect you with a live agent. You may have to wait a few minutes before connecting with one but keep the tab open and stay online! Once you are connected to someone, simply share the Fair Food Nation’s message (below) into the chat! You can stay online to respond to the agent, or you can simply exit the tab. 

3. E-mail Kroger

Send an email to <customerservice@kroger.com> with the suggested title: “It’s time for Kroger to join the Fair Food Program” and include your message as the body of the email. We have a suggested script below, which you can copy/paste into the body of the email.

You can also fill out this quick form, which will automatically email Kroger’s customer service and Kroger executives as well with the script. 

4. Share our Instagram posts and tag Kroger! @krogerco

You can also comment on Kroger’s posts on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn demanding that they join the Fair Food Program! 

5. Deliver a letter to your local Kroger demanding that they join the Fair Food Program

If you shop at, or live near, a Kroger store, you can print out the CIW’s letter and hand it to the manager of that store. Want a digital version? You can also request a copy to be mailed to you from us by emailing <workers@ciw-online.org> with the subject line “Requesting Kroger letter.” You can deliver it to any of the following locations: Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Copps, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick ’n Save, Owen’s, QFC, Ralphs, Roundy’s, Ruler, and Smith’s Food and Drug.

Proposed script (English)

Hello,

As a customer, I am deeply troubled by Kroger’s refusal to join the Fair Food Program, especially in light of publicized findings of modern-day slavery in Kroger’s supply chain. In these cases, workers were forced to harvest tomatoes and watermelons, which Kroger sold in its stores to unsuspecting consumers. In the most recent case connected to Kroger, one survivor who was trapped in modern slavery by Los Villatoros Harvesting told prosecutors: “I have not left [the U.S. for Mexico] because the Villatoros made me fear for my life. I was robbed of the opportunity to watch my son grow up.” 

Under the Fair Food Program, workers are protected against human rights violations such as sexual harassment and assault, wage theft, dangerous working conditions, and retaliation for speaking up for their rights. Kroger currently lags behind its competitors like Ahold, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods who have all joined the Fair Food Program. The market strength of large buyers of produce helps enforce the workers’ rights and safety on farms in the Fair Food Program. Kroger clearly has problems, and Kroger has the ability to solve those problems by joining the Fair Food Program.

There is a human rights crisis happening in Kroger’s supply chain. It is time to take responsibility for the farmworkers who make your profits possible and protect their basic rights by joining the Fair Food Program.

Thank you for your consideration. I sincerely hope Kroger will do the right thing.

Sign your message here.

Hosted by Coalition of Immokalee Workers.