Ben & Jerry’s in Palm Springs raises money for migrant farmworkers
Daniella Lake
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Ben & Jerry’s has launched their Waffle Lotta Good initiative. For every waffle cone a customer buys, $1 goes to Migrant Justice, a farmworker-led human rights program that is working to ensure dignified working conditions on farms.
Ben & Jerry’s in Palm Springs is participating and it’s not the first time they’ve used their ice cream for activism. Last year, the Waffle Lotta Good initiative helped raise 150K for Black Voters Matter.
Ben & Jerry’s across the country will be participating, and the Waffle Lotta Good initiative for Migrant Justice lasts until Nov. 4.
“It’s really enlightening to see a company that isn’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in,” says Allison Ackley, who co-owns the Ben & Jerry’s in Palm Springs with her husband, Jason Ackley.
Enrique Balcazar has worked on multiple dairy farms and has seen first-hand the issues farmworkers face.
“Wage theft from workers, people being fired for speaking out in retaliation, sexual harassment, discriminate nation. And a lot of times the poor housing conditions that workers are forced to endure,” he says. Now an organizer for migrant justice, Balcazar hears concerns from farmworkers and tries to make life better for them.
“Now more than ever, as our communities are increasingly under attack – workers, communities, that are treated as minorities in this country, we need to stand together, unite and fight to defend our rights.”