"Rest break, bonus pay still disputed in Washington"
Dan Wheat, Capital Press

While we gradually become familiar with the world of production through Ecotrust’s Market Research, there is another parallel universe we must get to know: that of the laborer. This article highlights the conflicting and sometimes contradictory issues faced by farm workers as they advocate for living wage and safe working conditions.
 
Many farm workers are paid by piece rate (quantity harvested) rather than by hourly rate. While legal precedent has established paid rest regardless of wage type, Washington State is still ambiguous whether or not piece rate farm workers should be paid minimum wage during breaks.  For this reason, hourly wages and planned bonuses are easier to regulate, but some farmworkers prefer piece rate – fast workers can often make more through piece rate than hourly rate wages. Both sides recognize a need for education and compromise on the part of both stakeholders, but the outcome is still unclear. ​

"10 Things we should do to fix our broken food system"
Tamar Haspel, Washington Post

Encouraging is the fact that many of Haspel’s recommendations can be seen in action across communities represented by CFFP members today. Seattle Tilth’s Good Food Bag program, our statewide Fresh Bucks program, and Seattle and Portland’s Farmer-Fisher-Chef Connection are just a few examples of how our food system community works to build cross-sector solutions that bring producers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers together.
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Article Summary
A pithy, succinct, and convicting call to action that includes the many diverse stakeholders in our food system – government, manufacturers, farmers, consumers, and more. Perhaps the most convicting commission is the charge for “Everyone” to “come to the table” for “more inclusive, constructive conversation”

"Mexican Soda Tax followed by Drop in Sugary Drink Sales"
Anahad O'Connor, New York TImes

​Mexico’s health trends towards increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other nutritionally-linked diseases is not uncommon in countries rapidly transitioning from agrarian peasantry to industrialized food systems – a transition that goes hand in hand with development and entry into global markets. This study provides a tool for low to middle income countries to potentially offset negative health trends through targeted sales tax, and a tool for communities like ours to reverse existing trends.

Article Summary
One year after implementing a 10% tax on sugary beverages in 2014, Mexico has seen a 12% drop in sugary drink sales and a 4% increase in bottled water purchases. This is the first empirical study suggesting that targeted sales tax may influence behavioral health, and it has gained attention from public health agencies across the globe. As a country with obesity rates as high as 70% and equally concerning rates of type 2 diabetes, this small measure has potential to make a big difference.