Of course fields are hot in the midday heat during summer harvest. There must be an alternative...maybe early morning,then late afternoon harvesting. I am also in agreement for buying organic (and making sure it truly is) in a way of standing for safer harvesting for these families. However, American farmers are not going to just switch over to organic farming. Not with Monsanto biotechnology in control of our fresh foods markets.

Dear John from office , go to hell

When I was a freshman in college (1964-65), we were shown Edward R. Murrow's "Harvest of Shame", as part of the sociology curriculum. This film, along with the book, "Tomatoland..." addressing actual slave workers and other abhorrent conditions, seems to indicate that America, as a nation, demonstrates its "exceptionalism" from a negative standpoint, regarding this disgraceful activity.

is there any way for consumers to know what farms/companys are engaging in these practices?

There's a financial website which has message boards including one that's very right-wing. There have been several long conversations (threads) with the strong (and imho disgusting) pov that all child labor laws should be abolished as anti-capitalist.

Did one of Mr. Lopate's guests just imply a presumption of guilt against "young men"? If he had said "young blacks" or "young hispanics", we would know what to call such a statement.

So how do they suggest the crops get picked. Also, if you outlaw this, then the family makes less money. This is like the Sweatshop cause from a few years back, the people in those factories saw the factories as a step up.

The fields were "really hot" how does an employer stop that??

Hi. I'm surprised this is happening in the U.S. I thought there were child labor laws, (none under 16 can work). Is the law being ignored?