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Students and farmworkers call for retailers to join Fair Food Program

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of students and farmworkers marched outside the Wendy’s on Atlantic and University Boulevards Saturday calling for justice on “Uniting for Fair Food” day of action.

High school students from River City Science Academy and other Jacksonville community members held a march calling on food retailers to join the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ (CIW) Fair Food Program (FFP).

The FFP is a partnership between food retailers and CIW. McDonald’s, Burger King and Walmart have already partnered with FFP, but major retailers Wendy's and Publix are not partners, according to a CIW press release.

According to the release, by committing to the FFP, retailers agree to purchase exclusively from Florida tomato suppliers who meet a series of more humane labor standards.

CIW says Saturday’s march is in response to both Wendy’s and Publix’s repeated rejection of invitations to meet with farmworkers and consumers.

Action News Jax reached out to Wendy's and Publix for comment. Publix responded with a link to their response. Wendy's has not yet responded to requests for comment.