Photo-report: Vermont Way Foods joins Milk with Dignity!

Farmworkers and dairy entrepreneurs gathered on October 3rd in Middlebury, VT to celebrate a partnership between dairy workers and Vermont Way Foods. The local, organic produce brand will soon launch a new cheese in collaboration with Migrant Justice’s Milk with Dignity Program. The “Cheese with Dignity” line will be sold at stores around the region.

As part of the agreement between Vermont Way Foods and Migrant Justice, conditions in the product’s dairy supply chain will be monitored for compliance with worker-defined labor standards. The Program’s Code of Conduct sets standards for wages, hours, health & safety, and housing conditions, and creates enforceable protections against discrimination, retaliation, and violence. Vermont Way Foods will pay a premium to invest in improved farmworker wages and working conditions. 

Catherine Cusak, speaking for Vermont Way Foods, opened the event: “Vermont Way Foods was founded to call attention to the integrity and intention of Vermont farmers and foodmakers, and we are thrilled to be expanding that message to include farmworkers’ rights by joining Migrant Justice’s Milk with Dignity Program.”

The forthcoming cheese will be the first product bearing the Milk with Dignity label. It also marks the Program’s expansion into the organic market. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont played a key role in connecting Vermont Way Foods and Migrant Justice.

Dairy worker and Migrant Justice leader Maribel spoke about the benefits she has experienced since her farm’s enrollment in the Milk with Dignity Program. “I want all farms to become part of Milk with Dignity so that every worker can benefit from the same rights and protections I have today.”

The celebration and product tasting fell on the eighth anniversary of the Milk with Dignity Program’s launch. In 2017, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream became the first company to join Milk with Dignity, committing to source its milk from farms enrolled in the worker-driven human rights program. At the event, Cheryl Pinto, Global Head of Values Led Sourcing at Ben & Jerry’s, welcomed Vermont Way Foods as a fellow Milk with Dignity participating company.

“It [feels] so good to be coming here to celebrate our 8-year anniversary with Milk with Dignity, and to welcome Vermont Way Foods to the family that supports all of this incredible work that the farmworkers have really driven to make Vermont this pioneering state that sets an example for the rest of the country.”

Dairy worker and Migrant Justice leader Olga Cruz ended the event with a call to action: “We created Milk with Dignity to build a more equitable dairy industry, one that benefits workers, farmers, and companies. More companies should follow Vermont Way Foods’ example and join the Milk with Dignity Program.”

The assembled farmworkers and Vermont Way Foods representatives then signed the agreement marking the company’s commitment upholding dignified conditions in its supply chain and supporting the expansion of Milk with Dignity.

Following the speaking program, the dozens of gathered supporters – including elected officials and representatives of Vermont’s congressional delegation – got the first tasting of the cheese, soon to hit shelves around the region!