This brought to mind the "Boycott Lettuce" graffiti in the university women's restrooms during my college days. I had to look it up to "jog" my memory of "The Salad Bowl" strike when 10,000 workers went on strike at the direction of Cesar Chavez. Safeway Stores were said to feel the greatest impact. These workers still remain in the background of the "food chain" until what they do is suddenly "not done". Thank you for posting.
Do other readers have memories of these boycotts? Or other incidents when farm workers gained some needed attention? Or other boycotts that were effective?
Some years ago I attended a Pax Christi USA conference which i think was held in Seattle,WA. We had many excellent speakers at the conference, one of which was Dolores Huerta. I sat in the second row. directly behind Dolores, so I was able to meet her. She was and is a truly courageous and passionate advocate for social justice, even in her elderly years.
Thank you for sharing your voice, experience, and understanding here. So timely. When I say grace, I try to imagine and name all the people, animals, and plants that are part of the food. It as amazing and humbling.
My name is Dennis and I live in Santa Cruz County, California and frequently drive to Monterey County and the Salinas Valley also known as the ‘Salad Bowl of America’. Salinas was also the home of the Nobel Prize winning writer John Steinbeck author of ‘Grapes of Wrath’.
As I drive south to Salinas I pass the rich agriculture areas of these two counties. Through Watsonville (many types of berries and especially strawberries that are shipped around the world, apple orchards, spinach, tomatoes). Moss Landing and Castroville (artichokes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower), and the Salinas Valley (endless fields of lettuce varieties, grapes, onions and all of the above). A true ‘Garden of Eden’.
These labor intensive crops would not be possible without the hard work of the men and women Farm Workers who plant, tend and harvest these fragile crops that require harvesting by hand that feed our nation and the world.
So true, Dennis. Thanks for commenting. You never realize what back-breaking work farming is unless you've done it yourself, or seen it up close. This is a good description of Salinas Valley. Steinbeck brought this territory alive in his writing.
The movie titled ‘McFarland’ just south of Delano provides good insight into the farm worker towns up and down the Central Valley of California and really much of all of California agricultural areas. I think California is still the number one agricultural state by monetary value even thought high tech and Hollywood seems to get all the press.
This brought to mind the "Boycott Lettuce" graffiti in the university women's restrooms during my college days. I had to look it up to "jog" my memory of "The Salad Bowl" strike when 10,000 workers went on strike at the direction of Cesar Chavez. Safeway Stores were said to feel the greatest impact. These workers still remain in the background of the "food chain" until what they do is suddenly "not done". Thank you for posting.
Great comment. Brought back memories for me, too.
Do other readers have memories of these boycotts? Or other incidents when farm workers gained some needed attention? Or other boycotts that were effective?
I live in Iowa I am 83. I never heard of this. Or maybe do not remember. Thank you for asking the question
Candy, yes what a great reminder of the lettuce boycott too
Some years ago I attended a Pax Christi USA conference which i think was held in Seattle,WA. We had many excellent speakers at the conference, one of which was Dolores Huerta. I sat in the second row. directly behind Dolores, so I was able to meet her. She was and is a truly courageous and passionate advocate for social justice, even in her elderly years.
Wow, what a thrill, Lee! I'm so glad that you had this opportunity. I think she's in her nineties now.
Thank you for sharing your voice, experience, and understanding here. So timely. When I say grace, I try to imagine and name all the people, animals, and plants that are part of the food. It as amazing and humbling.
Thanks, Elizabeth. Yes, the perfect grace.
Thanks for reminding us of our tremendous food chain
Thanks Mary! Hello Rocky!
My name is Dennis and I live in Santa Cruz County, California and frequently drive to Monterey County and the Salinas Valley also known as the ‘Salad Bowl of America’. Salinas was also the home of the Nobel Prize winning writer John Steinbeck author of ‘Grapes of Wrath’.
As I drive south to Salinas I pass the rich agriculture areas of these two counties. Through Watsonville (many types of berries and especially strawberries that are shipped around the world, apple orchards, spinach, tomatoes). Moss Landing and Castroville (artichokes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower), and the Salinas Valley (endless fields of lettuce varieties, grapes, onions and all of the above). A true ‘Garden of Eden’.
These labor intensive crops would not be possible without the hard work of the men and women Farm Workers who plant, tend and harvest these fragile crops that require harvesting by hand that feed our nation and the world.
So true, Dennis. Thanks for commenting. You never realize what back-breaking work farming is unless you've done it yourself, or seen it up close. This is a good description of Salinas Valley. Steinbeck brought this territory alive in his writing.
The movie titled ‘McFarland’ just south of Delano provides good insight into the farm worker towns up and down the Central Valley of California and really much of all of California agricultural areas. I think California is still the number one agricultural state by monetary value even thought high tech and Hollywood seems to get all the press.
Thanks Dennis for the colorful visual
Hi Lee! Great to see you at PFI.
Hi Lee!! How are you?
I’ll check out McFarland. Thanks.
Thank you sooo very much for this article. I knew absolutely nothing about this. I am 83. I guess I was home buried in housewifery
Thank you for commenting