Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen
Podcasts Take Two
LA Times uncovers worker abuse by Whole Foods and Walmart vendors in Mexico
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Dec 11, 2014
Listen 7:21
LA Times uncovers worker abuse by Whole Foods and Walmart vendors in Mexico
An LA Times investigation has shown that Whole Foods, Walmart, and other grocers have bought produce from companies that severely mistreat their workers, in Mexico.
FEBRUARY 26, 2014. TEACAPAN, SINALOA, MEXICO.  At the end of the work day, a transport truck is filled to the brim with Roma tomatoes from a  Cristo Rey, Sinaloa, Mexico farm.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
FEBRUARY 26, 2014. TEACAPAN, SINALOA, MEXICO. At the end of the work day, a transport truck is filled to the brim with Roma tomatoes from a Cristo Rey, Sinaloa, Mexico farm.
(
Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times
)

An LA Times investigation has shown that Whole Foods, Walmart, and other grocers have bought produce from companies that severely mistreat their workers, in Mexico.

In October, Whole Foods launched a marketing campaign called "Values Matter" with commercials like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DCow4J-pDE

While the video talks about treating workers well, a recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times has shown that not only Whole Foods, but Walmart, Safeway and other grocers - have been buying produce from companies in Mexico that severely mistreat their workers.

Richard Marosi spent over a year reporting this series and he joins Ben Bergman to chat.