News Room

FMI Commends U.S. Department of Labor for Enforcing Laws to Protect Agricultural Workers’ Rights

April 15, 2011
ARLINGTON, VA — April 15, 2011 — The Food Marketing Institute issued the following statement from President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie G. Sarasin on the U.S. Department of Labor’s announcement that it will be conducting enforcement activities to protect the welfare of the nation’s farmworkers:

“We commend the U.S. Department of Labor for demonstrating its commitment to America’s farmworkers. We are encouraged that the Wage and Hour Division will be visting farms in South Florida to ensure that labor contractors and growers are following federal labor laws. We firmly believe that all employers throughout the food supply chain should operate their businesses in compliance with the existing labor laws and regulations.”

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its nearly 1,250 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate more than 25,000 retail food stores and almost 22,000 pharmacies with a combined annual sales volume of nearly $650 billion.  FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent operators. Its international membership includes 126 companies from more than 65 countries. FMI’s nearly 330 associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members. 

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