Fair and Healthy Jobs

Fair and healthy jobs in the food system mean that all participants in food systems receive fair compensation and fair treatment, free from exploitation, have healthy and safe work environments, and conditions that uphold dignity and well-being. Furthermore, we define fair and healthy jobs as those that contribute to the overall health of the food system, by reducing environmental impacts, by increasing nutritional availability and quality, and build community-level wealth for all peoples. In addition, a “healthy job is one in which full, productive, and healthy lifestyles are also supported” (UC Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program, “Healthy Jobs Call to Action”).

Heat Stress in Central Valley Agriculture

During summer 2020, undergraduate student Río Vargas will be part of a multidisciplinary research team that analyzes the impact of heat waves on agricultural labor in the Western Central Valley, California.

Future of Grocery Work

During summer 2020, one graduate student is researching the effect of COVID-19 on grocery work and its future.

Food Labor Research Center

The Food Labor Research Center is the first academic institution anywhere in the country to focus on the intersection between food and labor issues in the U.S. and abroad.

Agricultural Social Certification

In the last few years, there has been a rise in an alternative paradigm focused on market-based efforts to promote improved farm labor conditions in the US.