ProPublica investigation reveals lack of traceability for blueberries linked to farmworker abuse
Major grocery chains and trade groups declined to comment on why they have not expanded participation in the Fair Food Program, despite evidence that it prevents field abuses.
A ProPublica investigation has exposed significant gaps in traceability within the US blueberry supply chain, linking the issue to widespread farmworker abuse. Federal regulations do not mandate that brands disclose specific farm origins on packaging, as produce is typically aggregated from multiple sources to meet demand. This opacity makes it difficult for consumers to avoid products from farms with histories of mistreatment.
The report highlights that while the Fair Food Program offers a certified model for preventing abuse through a small price premium and mandatory protections, participation among blueberry farms remains limited. Major grocery chains and trade groups declined to comment on their lack of expansion into the program, with some trade bodies arguing that proposed protections would unduly burden the industry.
Only one major brand, Dole, responded to inquiries, stating it enforces labour law compliance but does not share source data with consumers. The investigation underscores the disconnect between documented abuses on America’s farms and limited consumer awareness, driven by a supply chain that obscures individual farm origins.
ProPublica contacted more than 75 blueberry brands, grocery stores, fast-food chains, farmers, trade groups, and labor contractors; only one brand, Dole, responded. Dole stated it requires contract farmers to comply with labor laws and can trace berries back to their source, but it does not make this information available to consumers.
None of the over 30 largest American grocery and fast-food chains answered questions about their participation in the Fair Food Program. Over two dozen trade groups declined to talk about low participation rates, with some arguing that proposed protections would "burden the whole industry for a few bad apples."
The Fair Food Program uses a green sticker featuring a woman holding a basket of tomatoes to certify that workers were treated fairly; however, only a few small blueberry farms currently participate in the program. Experts cite the program as the "gold standard" for preventing worker abuse, requiring corporate buyers to pay a negligible premium to ensure stronger worker protections.
Previous ProPublica reporting has documented thousands of foreign farmworkers being illegally charged fees by labour contractors, described by prosecutors as a form of modern-day slavery. The investigation focuses on the state of Georgia, where the reporter lives and where many of the documented abuses occurred.
