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Back to To the Point

To the Point

The Human Cost of Cheap Produce

Walmart, Safeway, Whole Foods and other American grocers import billions of dollars-worth of fruits and vegetables from Mexico.  The companies advertise "ethical sourcing guidelines" including humane treatment of Mexican farm workers.

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By Warren Olney • Dec 10, 2014 • 1 min read

Walmart, Safeway, Whole Foods and other American grocers import billions of dollars-worth of fruits and vegetables from Mexico. The companies advertise "ethical sourcing guidelines" including humane treatment of Mexican farm workers. But a recent Los Angeles Times investigation reveals unpaid laborers trapped behind fences far from home, living in squalor, short of drinkable water, bathing in irrigation canals. Is that what's keeping food prices down?

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

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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

    Benjamin Gottlieb

    Reporter, Fill-in Host

  • KCRW placeholder

    Claire Martin

    Producer, To the Point/Which Way LA?

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    Jenny Hamel

    KCRW

  • KCRW placeholder

    Richard Marosi

    Los Angeles Times

  • KCRW placeholder

    Lance Jungmeyer

    Fresh Produce Association of the Americas

  • KCRW placeholder

    Laura Carlsen

    Center for International Policy

    NewsNationalPolitics
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