We enjoy produce, but rarely ask the question, "Who is picking our produce, and what issues do they have to deal with?"
If you are buying your food locally, your local farmer is likely doing the picking, but even then, the farmer may have farm workers who pick the produce.
But farm workers aren't treated well and are paid poorly. And they do an important job, given that we enjoy the produce that they pick for us.
We all remember the story of Burger King refusing to pay Florida tomato pickers one extra penny per bucket.
Stephen Colbert had United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez on as his last guest before a scheduled two-week vacation. On the program, Rodriguez talked about a program to get regular people to try being a farm worker, partially in response to immigration fears from impressions that illegals take jobs Americans want.
When Colbert asked Rodriguez how many people had offered to do this opportunity, Rodriguez said "Three." Colbert offered to be the fourth person.
We hope that Colbert will keep his promise — he usually does. This issue could use some publicity, and a lot of humor. Colbert asked Rodriguez if there would be air conditioning — needless to say, no air conditioning will be provided.
Looking forward to Stephen Colbert's day in the sun — a long day, that is.
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