Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Walmart and Mexican Farm Conditions, SNL at 40, and a One-Way Ticket to Mars

    Two months ago, the Los Angeles Times documented in appalling detail the living conditions at Mexican megafarms that produce half our tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Now, Mexican growers and distributors and Walmart have vowed to improve the situation. But how?

    • rss
    Download MP3
    • Share
    By Madeleine Brand • Feb 16, 2015 • 52m Listen

    Two months ago, the Los Angeles Times documented in appalling detail the living conditions at Mexican megafarms that produce half our tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Now, Mexican growers and distributors and Walmart have teamed up to improve the situation. But how? In other farming news, we take a look at how Harvard University became one of California's most unlikely wine producers, and what it says about the state's agriculture industry. In our weekly television roundup, a look at "Saturday Night Live's" 40-year anniversary special. Then we kick off a week of interviews with the filmmakers behind this year's Oscar-nominated documentaries with a co-director of "Salt of the Earth." And finally, a look at a competition for a one-way ticket to Mars. Great adventure, or death wish?

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Andrew Walsh

      Too Beautiful to Live

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

      News
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand