Who Is Trader Joe’s

When you walk into a Trader Joe’s past the beautiful cut flowers and shelves full of artisan breads back to the small sample area staffed by a friendly employee dressed in jeans and a Hawaiian shirt you feel like you are walking into your neighborhood grocer. Employees are all kind of laid back, everyone seems at home and, if you are a regular, chances are they know your name. It’s just that kind of a place.

On the surface, that is.

Truth is Trader Joe’s is big business for a trust owned by by mega discount chain Aldi’s co-founder Theo Albrecht, Sr.

“Aldi has its roots in Germany and operates 7,500 stores internationally in a dozen countries. The first U.S. store opened in 1976. Aldi has annual U.S. sales of about $5 billion, according to business research company Hoovers.”

Albrecht bought Trader Joe’s in 1979 when it was a small California specialty grocery store chain. It was a very good investment for Albrecht. In 2004 sales “were estimated [at] $2.1 billion, or $1,132 per square foot, twice that of traditional supermarkets, according to the Food Institute, a nonprofit research group in Elmwood Park, N.J.

Trader Joe’s magic is a combination of its low prices and “feel good” atmosphere – plus, in the words of one consultant, “they have no competition.”

Via Business Week Online

Giving Joe and the Albrecht Family Trust their due, it must be said that Trader Joe’s is known for treating its employees better than the average grocery chain. This fact makes their reluctance to use their leverage to make a statement urging better conditions for farmworkers all the more difficult to swallow.

What do you say Joe? Are you going to do the right thing?

Widespread Use of Tasers by Law Enforcement Sees Inevitable Rise In Accidental Deaths

The Taser death march, claiming on average one victim per week in North America, continues. Since Kevin Piskura’s tasering and death outside a bar in Oxford Ohio 6 9 10 14 (updated June 30th) more people have died after being tasered:

340. April 24, 2008: Dewayne Chatt, 39, Memphis, Tennessee
341. April 27, 2008: Paul Thompson, 24, Greensboro, North Carolina
342. April 28, 2008: Jermaine Ward, 28, Jackson, Tennessee
343. May 4, 2008: Joe Kubat, 21, St. Paul, Minnesota
344. May 6, 2008: James S. Wilson, 22, Alton, Missouri
345. May 28, 2008: Ricardo Manuel Abrahams, 44, Woodland, California
346. May 31, 2008: Robert Ingram, 27, Raceland, Louisiana
347. June 5, 2008: Willie Maye, 43, Birmingham, Alabama
348. June 6, 2008: Donovan Graham, 39, Meriden, Connecticut
349. June 8, 2008: Quintrell T. Brannon, 25, Vincennes, Indiana
350. June 9, 2008: Tony Curtis Bradway, 26, Brooklyn, New York
351. June 23, 2008: Jeffrey Marreel, 36, Norfolk, Ontario
352. June 24, 2008: Ernest Graves, 26, Rockford, Illinois
353. June 27, 2008: Nicholas Cody, 27, Dothan, Alabama

via Truth Not Tasers

Trader Joe’s Disappoints

Trader Joe’s responded to my outrage that Two Buck Chuck was not pulled from the shelves with a carefully worded email asserting that their hands are clean because an independent contractor (Merced Farm Laborers) employed Maria and that the vineyard (West Coast Grape Farming) where Maria collapsed was owned by a company that made wines other than Two Buck Chuck.

Whoa – I did my homework here Joe and you are dancing around the truth. There is more to the story here than meets the eye and you must be aware of it.

Remember all the hoopla and media you got after you made the deal with Bronco giving you exclusive rights to distribute Two Buck Chuck. You knew Bronco had the power and ability to deliver the volume (10 million cases in the first two years alone) to meet your demand.

Let me break it down.

The Players:

Bronco Wineries – “Bronco is best known as the company behind Charles Shaw, nicknamed “Two-Buck Chuck.” Bronco created a stir in the wine industry in early 2003 by selling its Charles Shaw brand for $1.99 in Trader Joe’s Company locations and has sold more than 10 million cases during the last two years.”

Fred Franzia, called the Scourge of Napa Valley, is the head of Bronco. At Bronco’s 30th anniversary celebration Franzia boasted that “he and his family own 30,000 acres of California vineyards in 11 counties, the largest ownership of vines in the state.”

Charles Shaw is Bronco’s leading label; other labels sold by Bronco include “ForestVille Vineyard, Montpellier Vineyard, Hacienda Wine Cellars, Napa Ridge, Forest Glen, Estrella, Napa Ridge, Sea Ridge, Coastal Ridge, Silver Ridge and on-premise brands like Salmon Creek and Domaine Napa, … and a new super-value wine for independent grocers, Crane Lake.” via winebusiness.com

West Coast Grape Farming Inc. – owner of the the vineyard Maria was working in at the time of her collapse. A public relations spokesman for the vineyard, stated that the vineyard was “partially owned by some of the owners of Bronco Wine … but not the wine company itself …”

Other reports state that West Coast Grape Farming is a Subsidiary of Bronco. A search of California Business Records reveals that Fred Franzia is the agent for service of process for West Coast – i.e. he is the one who accepts service of lawsuits and other official papers for the company.

---

Corporation
WEST COAST GRAPE FARMING, INC.
Number: C1604050	Date Filed: 12/30/1987	Status: active
Jurisdiction: California
Address
6342 BYSTRUM RD
CERES, CA 95307
Agent for Service of Process
FRED T FRANZIA
6342 BYSTRUM RD
CERES, CA 95307

Bottom line – one or more of the owners of Bronco are making money from the vineyard where Maria died.

Merced Farm Labor is an independent contractor hired by West Coast Grape Farming Inc. to provide field workers.

So get a clear picture here about the kind of power we are talking about. Bronco Wine, the 4th largest wine producer in the United States, is owned by Fred Franzia and his family. The Franzia’s control the largest number of vines in the State of California. The top label of Bronco Wine is Two Buck Chuck.

Let’s do the math. Trader Joe’s is the sole supplier of the top label of the 4th largest wine producer in the Unites States. Since Bronco, the Franzia Famiy and Trader Joe’s inked their deal six years ago “more than 360 million bottles of Charles Shaw wines have been produced” – at two bucks a pop that is 720 million dollars of leverage.

Are you getting a sense of why Trader Joe’s has power, and responsibility, to take action to promote worker safety?

While Trader Joe’s is technically correct when they say that West Coast Farming Inc. supplies grapes for many wines, it appears that all those wines are related in some measure to Bronco Wineries and Fred Franzia. Their statement that “The company employing the young farm worker has no more of a relation to Trader Joe’s than they do to any other wine retailer or restaurant” is disingenuous and a slap in the face to “the underpaid and overeducated’ shoppers Trader Joe courts.”

Maria Vasquez died in service to numerous entities responsible for producing a cheap bottle of wine that has become synonymous with Trader Joe’s.

Shame on you Joe for not doing anything.

How you can help:

Contact your local Trader Joe’s -tell them you won’t buy “Two Buck Chuck” until they take action to insure their vendors are complying with the law.

Send a fax to Trader Joe’s corporate offices from the United Farm Workers campaign site.

Call Trader Joe’s at 626-599-3817 (West Coast) and 781-455-7319 (East Coast) and ask the grocery chain to implement a corporate policy to ensure that its suppliers are not violating the law by failing to provide basic protections such as cold water, shade and clean bathrooms for farm workers.

Call or fax West Coast Grape Farming to demand they take the necessary steps to protect workers hired by their independent contractors. Contact either Safety Director Debbie Barry, and/or Fred Franzia, partial owner, 6342 Bystrum Rd. Ceres, CA 95307 phone: 209-538-3131/fax: 209-538-4634.

UPDATE Two Buck Death Chuck

Trader Joe’s June 25th response

On June 16th I submitted an email to Trader Joe’s through their website. I created this post on June 23rd – that same day a review of my stat counter revealed a visit from Trader Joe’s Company in California. Today I received an email response to my question on why Two Buck Chuck was not pulled from the shelves:

The unfortunate and tragic death of Maria Jimenez highlights issues and concerns facing all agricultural industries across America.

Maria Jimenez was employed by an independent contractor, working in an independent vineyard. The vineyard supplies many wineries, but was not supplying grapes for Charles Shaw.

The media has not correctly presented the details of the matter.

The company employing the young farm worker has no more of a relation to Trader Joe’s than they do to any other wine retailer or restaurant.

Our vendors have a strong record of providing safe and healthy work environments and we are currently making certain that our vendors are meeting government standards throughout all aspects of their businesses.

Thank you for sharing your concerns.

Kellye
Customer Relations

Also of interest: Uncle of Girl Who Died From Heatstroke Is Fired

Attention to farm safety is overdue

Family of teen who died in vineyard sues field owner, labor contractor

Heat Kills Cropworkers at Rate 20 Times Higher Than Others

Two Buck Death Chuck – Trader Joe’s is Silent

I blogged about the tragic death of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez who died while laboring in a Stockton area vineyard in 100 plus degree heat. According to a Wednesday AP story, the San Joaquin County Coroner has officially confirmed that Maria died of heat stroke. Maria had been working 8 hours in the blistering heat without shade or sufficient water. The closest water supply was a 10 minute walk away.

According to worker charges filed with Cal OSHA, the land owner where Maria suffered heat stroke continues to utilize labor contractors that don’t abide by the law. And Friday, a month after Maria’s passing, another charge was filed for lack of water and shade at one of the company’s locations.

Last week Cal OSHA closed down Merced and Solis Farm Labor after investigation into Maria’s death revealed ongoing violations.

Because Maria worked for a labor contractor, she most likely never knew she was part of the production team for Bronco Winery who is better known for Charles Shaw wines–commonly called “Two-Buck Chuck.” This best selling wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s stores. According to Trader Joe’s web site, “these super-value wines began as the result of an oversupply of wine and a great relationship with a valued supplier.”

Help us ask Trader Joe’s to use their “great relationship” to protect the workers who labor to pick the crop. Ask Trader Joe’s to implement a corporate policy to ensure that their suppliers are not violating the law by failing to provide farm workers with basic protections such as cold water, shade and clean bathrooms.

Requests of this type are not new to Trader Joe’s. Back in 2005 after the Humane Society and customers expressed concerns, Trader Joe’s agreed to sell only cage free eggs under the company’s label. We commend Trader Joe’s for this corporate responsibility and ask them to do the same for farm workers.

After all isn’t the life of a farm worker as important as the life of a chicken?

Photo credit Sacbee.com

I left a message on Trader Joe’s website last week – I have not received any reply or acknowledgment. I asked staff at the Eton Trader Joe’s what they thought of the situation and I was incredulous when they said they hadn’t heard anything about it.

Please take action.
http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/2buckchuck?rk=T7BE6j5qJcVxW

some content via email from United Farm Workers

Coventry Street Fair 2008

When  G-d was a child and Chevy Chase was on Saturday Night Live the Coventry Street Fair was the happening of the summer.  Throughout the day until the wee hours of the morning you were entertained by artists, street people, music, food and the best people watching this side of Manhattan.

Oh how times have changed.

Last week I went to the first of three such street fairs – now called the “Coventry Street Arts Fair”  held between 6-9 PM on three summer evenings.  There were a few interesting jewelery makers, very little interesting food and not too many people.  The old hippies seemed just that – old and pretty weary.  Even Revolution Books lacked fire.

It was a gorgeous evening and it was a shame there wasn’t more to do, see and engage the imagination. The one bright spot was the Winking Lizard’s outdoor barbecue.   The burgers were worth the trip.

The next 2 fairs will be held on Thursday July 17th and Thursday August 7th from 6 – 9 PM.  Here’s hoping it will be more interesting – if not at least the hamburgers are good.

New GI Bill Passed!

The New GI Bill just passed -

The White House and Congress have reached an agreement on the new GI Bill. The bill will now be included in the Emergency Supplemental Funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The House of Representatives gave their overwhelming stamp of approval to the plan on Thursday afternoon with a vote of 416-12. Once the Senate passes the updated version of the bill, it will go to the President’s desk for his signature.

via email from Patrick Campbell, Iraq Veteran, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

The Angels Want To Wear My Red Shoes

The votes are in …

I am off to Zappos to order – (thank you to Grace for the gift!)

I’m Back – the order was placed without a hitch and shipping was upgraded (for free!!!!) so my new Clarke’s Firecrackers will be here tomorrow night for a celebratory dinner at Sushi Rock! Thank you to Chris for the invite!!

The shoes were here when I got home from running errands – tucked behind my flowers and wrapped in a plastic bag just in case it rained.

Alas, they were not as zingy a red or as comfortable as I would like.

I logged onto my account and had the return process completed and a label for free shipping back to Zappos one – two – three.

Stay tuned.

Tasers and The Republican National Convention

Must read article by Molly Priesmeyer on Taser International’s money making plans for the Republican National Convention. Part 1; Part 2.

Photo: J. Star (Flickr)

Forget Tupperware – Now You Can Have a Taser Party

Watching coverage of Tim Russert’s death on CNN.com I happened upon 2 disturbing videos. Someone at CNN must love Taser International because the videos posted about Tasers over the past week were positively lighhearted.

Did you know you can have a Taser Party?

CNN’s most recent Taser video, (Women choose a taser demonstration for their party’s entertainment) opens with a woman using a PINK taser on a practice target. The camera pulls away to show a room of women and then a pot bellied gray bearded company representative in a Taser ball cap admonishing them that “when the economy is bad, crime dudn’t (sic) get better.” The voice over sells protection without killing your assailant – in the company words a “win win” situation.

The video includes footage of a male volunteer being tasered while supported by 2 company reps who lower him to the ground when the taser hit. The video doesn’t disclose the level of voltage.

The company rep goes on to state that the taser does not affect heart, lungs or involuntary muscles, only skeletal muscles.

The other video, Producer Gets Tased, Bro! (CNN’s Jim Spellman talks about some serious but non-lethal law enforcement technology) features Spellman being tasered a police trade show. Watch and Listen the female anchor giggles and says “Tasers come in all different shapes and sizes for every taser lover.”

Watch as Spellman falls to the floor screaming after being tasered with what is reported to be 1200 volts for 5 seconds. On Taser International’s website their is no taser listed with either an advertised or actual peak voltage of 1200 volts. The lowest lowest actual peak voltage listed is 1100 volts – most have a much more powerful actual peak voltage.

Throughout the video the female anchor is giggles and smiles. Nauseating.

I commented on this video asking CNN to disclose whether the producer was asked health questions and/or whether he had to sign a release. My comment was not posted and the video was removed from the listing although I could find it by searching the site.

It is interesting to note that Spellman fell to the ground screaming while the subject in the party video was lowered to the ground grunting. I wonder how much the voltage is manipulated for demonstration purposes.

Write to CNN – tell them to provide balanced reporting on Tasers and full disclosure on subjects voluntarily tasered including the voltage used in demonstration versus in regular use, whether volunteers are screened for health issues and finally whether subjects are requested to sign a waiver releasing Taser International from liability.

Why is this important – since Ohioan Kevin Piskura’s tasering and death on April 25th, in North America alone, 6 9 10 11(updated June 16th), more people have died after being tasered:

340. April 24, 2008: Dewayne Chatt, 39, Memphis, Tennessee
341. April 27, 2008: Paul Thompson, 24, Greensboro, North Carolina
342. April 28, 2008: Jermaine Ward, 28, Jackson, Tennessee
343. May 4, 2008: Joe Kubat, 21, St. Paul, Minnesota
344. May 6, 2008: James S. Wilson, 22, Alton, Missouri
345. May 28, 2008: Ricardo Manuel Abrahams, 44, Woodland, California
346. May 31, 2008: Robert Ingram, 27, Raceland, Louisiana
347. June 5, 2008: Willie Maye, 43, Birmingham, Alabama
348. June 6, 2008: Donovan Graham, 39, Meriden, Connecticut

349. June 8, 2008: Quintrell T. Brannon, 25, Vincennes, Indiana
350. June 9, 2008: Tony Curtis Bradway, 26, Brooklyn, New York

via Truth Not Tasers