The seemingly ordinary activity of buying fresh tomatoes is unveiled as having one of the highest human and environmental costs in the industry. In Tomatoland, we are taken on an striking journey that exposes corrupt practices adopted by the agricultural industry, in its quest to bring consumers those perfect round tomatoes all year round. It begins on the streets of Florida, where the author accidentally comes across some hard green fruits. He later discovers these are unripe tomatoes; ones that are on their way to be gassed till ripe, packed and shipped to destinations all over the US. His  investigation finds that this is part of a long series of abusive practices the tomato industry uses to maximize its crops. The author traces  back the conditions surrounding tomato production to the impoverished town of Immokalee, Florida. He exposes controversial issues such as the extensive use of highly toxic, carcinogenic pesticides and the enslavement of migrant workers in sub-human living conditions. He sheds the light on the all-too-similar stories of 3 field worker families who’s exposure to toxic chemicals caused their babies to be born with birth defects. Other migrant workers found themselves making no more than 20$ a week or less, while sinking into debt to their crew bosses. The vicious cycle in which workers found themselves would have them trapped in harsh conditions for years, some being subject to brutal beatings or even death. Even so, a group of workers were able to come together under the name of the “Coalition of Immokalee Workers”. The group started when a 16 year old tomato picker was beaten for taking an un-authorized water break from work, then evolved into an organization which is determined to protect field workers from such abuse. One that was able to exert enough pressure on a number of fast food chains to become more aware and socially responsible in their supply chain.

Its not an unusual story, that of disadvantaged workers hired to harvest goods for corporations who reap high profit margins. Nonetheless, this particular book is intriguing because of the extent to which it was allowed to persist with minimal intervention of the law. It draws our attention to the responsibility we all have towards understanding where our food comes from, after all, our produce may have been picked by the hand of a slave. An interesting reference was also made to the findings of a study which states that the profit of organic tomato farming is only 10% less profitable than that of commercialized green fruits. More importantly, going organic can be a profitable business. It is truly appalling to take an in-depth look at what is really going on in the fields, but hope is restored with the  efforts of pro bono attorneys, social workers, and local organizations such as the “Coalition of Immokalee Workers” who strive to improve those conditions everyday.

Naila