They call it "Pennies for Publix."
The goal: to get Publix Supermarkets to use its buying power to support farm workers. The Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice spoke in Gainesville today about wages and working conditions.
The alliance is working with community religious leaders to support a coalition dedicated to those who pick tomatoes.
The words of Coalition of Immokalee Workers staff member Nelly Rodriguez (Translated by Jordan Buckley): "We know that Publix as a major buyer of Florida tomatoes has tremendous influence within the industry if only chose to use it. They could pay one more penny per pound to help elevate farm worker wages and they could also demand that their suppliers ensure dignity and respect for the workers that are harvesting the tomatoes sold in Publix produce isle."
Tomato pickers earn about 40 to 50 cents for every 32 pound bucket of tomatoes they pick.
Activists say participate in protests at Publix Corporate in Lakeland the coming months.