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I mentioned in my short take on the Slow Food Nation festival that the Lucas Benitez of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) had hinted at an agreement with Whole Foods. Well, that agreement was announced today.

Those who are familiar with Whole Foods (dubbed “Whole Paycheck” by those who consider their wares economically inaccessible to many working class Americans) might be surprised by the fact that WF’s “groundbreaking agreement” with CIW came months (in some cases years) after Taco Bell, Burger King and McDonald’s had agreed to a similar “penny-a-pound” price increase on tomatoes.

They may have been late to the table, but WF is going one better than those fast-food chains by working with CIW to create a new domestic version of their “Whole Trade” program. From the press release:

Additionally, Whole Foods Market is exploring the creation of a domestic purchasing program to help guarantee transparent, ethical and responsible sourcing and production, using the company’s existing Whole Trade Guarantee program as a model. Whole Trade Guarantee, a third-party verified program, ensures that producers and laborers in developing countries get an equitable price for their goods in a safe and healthy working environment. The goal is to purchase Florida tomatoes from growers that will implement a similar program. “We are especially excited about working with the CIW to develop this domestic ‘Whole Trade-type’ program,” said Christensen.

Congratulations to Whole Foods, the CIW and those workers who will benefit from this agreement.