Ahold joins initiative on farmworker pay

Ahold USA has become the first major grocery retailer to join an initiative requiring Florida tomato suppliers to increase farmworker pay and protect workers from forced labor and sexual assault.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers announced Wednesday that Ahold USA is America's first major grocer to join the group's Fair Food Program. Ahold USA is the parent company of Stop & Shop, Giant Foods of Landover, Giant Foods of Carlisle, Martin's and online grocer Peapod.

James McCann, COO of Ahold USA, said: "Ahold USA's companies are deeply committed to responsible practices throughout their operations and to providing customers with great products at great prices from suppliers who share our dedication to strong ethical standards and fair treatment for workers. The cornerstone of this commitment is the Ahold Standards of Engagement, which commit our companies' suppliers to these values. The Fair Food Program is a time-tested leader in improving the lives of agricultural workers, and we have observed the Program's success over the past several years. Our companies and our customers care about the welfare of workers in our supply chain, and we believe now is the right time to begin an important new chapter in our partnership with the CIW."

As part of this partnership, Ahold USA's companies will:

• Continue to purchase Florida tomatoes only from growers who participate in the CIW's Fair Food Program, and expand the Fair Food Program's standards to farms of participating growers in other states

• Work with the CIW to ensure timely, periodic inspections and audits of the participating farms that supply Ahold USA's companies

• Pay a premium on tomatoes purchased from participating growers that growers will pass on to field workers

• Provide additional financial support for the Fair Food Standards Council, CIW's partner in monitoring compliance by participating growers with the Fair Food Program standards

• Support the Fair Food Program with expanded marketing and advertising, including in-store displays, online visibility and education materials for associates at Ahold USA companies.

Ahold USA operatess 780 supermarkets across the country and 50 million customers each month.

Ahold's participation will increase the number of U.S. grocery stores carry Fair Food tomatoes by approximately 75%. Ahold USA joins almost a dozen other corporations, including Walmart, Yum Brands and McDonalds, in the initiative.