Hardship on Mexico's farms, a bounty for U.S. tables

[cbayer]

http://graphics.latimes.com/product-of-mexico-camps/

By RICHARD MAROSI
Photography & Video by DON BARTLETTI
DEC. 7, 2014

A Times reporter and photographer find that thousands of laborers at Mexico's mega-farms endure harsh conditions and exploitation while supplying produce for American consumers.

First of four stories.

At the end of the day, Roma tomatoes are ready for transport in Cristo Rey in the state of Sinaloa. Half the tomatoes consumed in the U.S. come from Mexico.
The tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers arrive year-round by the ton, with peel-off stickers proclaiming "Product of Mexico."

Farm exports to the U.S. from Mexico have tripled to $7.6 billion in the last decade, enriching agribusinesses, distributors and retailers.

American consumers get all the salsa, squash and melons they can eat at affordable prices. And top U.S. brands — Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, Subway and Safeway, among many others — profit from produce they have come to depend on.

These corporations say their Mexican suppliers have committed to decent treatment and living conditions for workers.

more at link

[marble falls]

1. This has to be the most important thing posted on DU today. Nice find. Thank you for posting it.

[cbayer]

2. Thanks marble falls.

The images and video blew me away, too.

I feel that the US is oblivious to what goes on outside of the resort towns here.

[marble falls]

3. Selective blindness. Since my cancer I've gotten very picky about where my food comes from and how..

it gets to me. We need to tear down the WalMart/cheapest price no matter the real cost mentality cheap consumerism has infected us with.

[cbayer]

4. Did not know about your cancer.

I have found that getting local meat and produce here to be so much easier. The small markets dominate in most areas and the food is decidedly different.

Here people eat what is available though. They don't think they should have tomatoes all year round.

[marble falls]

5. Bladder cancer. A smokers cancer. I've never smoked. I used to laugh at "victims" of secondhand...

smoke. I've changed my tune.

[cbayer]

6. Oh, I am so sorry.

I was a very heavy smoker who quit just about 6 months ago. I still really struggle with it, but I am confident that I am an ex-smoker.

I hope that my smoking harmed no one but myself.

[marble falls]

7. Everybody smoked in the 1950's and I worked in hospitality for years. We all were bamboozled.....

We're all in it together. My life is good. My primary healthcare physician at VA and I had the 'conversation' last Thursday. If I have five years, good. If I live to be 90 cutting tumors every couple of years, that's good, too. Life has been good and I have very few regrets.

[cbayer]

8. Yes, we were all bamboozled.

One of the reasons that I was able to quit was because I was tired of being a tool.

I'm facing health problems for the very first time in my life and it is shocking.

I hope that all goes well for you and you wring every bit you can get out of this life.