The event was hosted by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 99, the union local the tomato workers voted to be a part of in a 116-70 vote. Bill McDonnell, president of Local 99, said the local is statewide and has more than 21,000 members. Festivities included a barbecue, music, dancing, and prizes for the 50 or more children of the workers. A popular chant was "Sí se pudo." ("Yes, we did it.")

Dutch-owned Eurofresh, Inc. operates a vast expanse of tomato nurseries and row on row of hothouses in this rural town located a several-hour drive east of Tucson. The company is expanding and recently contracted more than 200 additional workers from Mexico, many of whom are indigenous people. The bosses are hoping to use them against the union. At least three of these new workers were at the celebration. One of them, a 15-year-old Mixtec youth from the state of Guerrero, said he thought that many more would support the union.

Cecilia Quijada, a packer who has worked for Eurofresh for almost four years, said winning union recognition will mean "the workers won't be abused like we used to be." She said she'd like to tell others who are considering a fight like the one waged by workers at Eurofresh: "Don't be afraid. If you're afraid, you can't win." Martín Hernández, an organizer for the UFCW, said, "It was great for them, truly a victory for the workers."

This was a celebration marked by the tomato workers' understanding that the company is determined to prevent them from winning a contract. Several workers received a plaque from UFCW Local 99 saluting their contributions as leaders in the organizing drive. One of them cautioned, "We're just waiting to strike another blow against the company." The confidence of workers on the in-plant organizing committee was expressed by Mary Valencia, who said, "We were sure we would win. Everyone was happy. Hopefully it will change everything."  
 
 
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