Dear John,

Remember life, and the Fair Food movement, before the pandemic? Massive, colorful marches filling the streets with thousands of farmworkers and allies, like the one above, brought the Fair Food Nation together on a regular basis and drove the expansion of the Fair Food Program into the unprecedented success it is today.

But even though major Fair Food actions remain on hold while the nation fights COVID-19, you can still help support and expand the Fair Food Program's award-winning protections by calling on your local food co-op or independent grocery store to become a Fair Food Sponsor today!

Unfortunately, the pandemic has significantly restricted the colorful, energetic activism that the Fair Food movement is known for, denying the movement a uniquely effective tool for both spreading the word about the FFP and expanding the Program to workers in new states and new crops. Yet, remarkably – and thanks in no small part to the seemingly infinite creativity of the Fair Food Nation – we have been able to maintain our momentum over the past year and a half, both expanding the Fair Food Program and keeping the pressure on Wendy's in the Campaign for Fair Food.

And in keeping with that wonderful spirit of creativity, we are excited to share today a new, hands-on way for you to support the expansion of the Fair Food Program and keep that momentum going without even leaving your own neighborhood. We’re launching a survey for supporters who shop at co-ops or local, independent grocery stores to help us explore possibilities for expansion through the Fair Food Sponsor Program.

Take the survey

Because the Fair Food Program leverages the industry-defining power of corporate buyers, smaller food retailers have often been left out of the equation. Yet we know that many of our strongest supporters are also members of their local co-ops or regulars at their local independent, ethically-minded grocers. The FFP Sponsor Program creates a new entry point for smaller retailers who may not command the same market power as Participating Buyers, but aspire to support ethical practices and to meet the expectations of a committed shopper base.

Thus far, the Park Slope Food Coop, Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op and Each Peach Market have been the first to join the Sponsor Program, and we know that there are countless members of the Fair Food Nation who have ideas about which co-ops and stores could, and should, be next.

Think your own local co-op or independent grocer might like to join, too? We’d love to hear what you think and get your ideas about who the next Fair Food Program Sponsor should be!

Bring the FFP to your neighborhood