Fired for Eating the Wrong Lunch: A Wake-Up Call for Workers Everywhere

After more than two decades of loyal service, Israel Xicohtencatl, a dedicated produce manager at the iconic Citarella Gourmet Market in New York City, was suddenly and publicly fired. His offense? He accidentally ate a coworker’s lunch.

Yes, you read that right. A minor mistake—one that could happen to any of us—ended Israel’s 20+ year career.

A Loyal Worker, Tossed Aside

On May 28, 2025, Israel unknowingly grabbed a bagged lunch that wasn’t his. As soon as he realized the error, he apologized, tried to make it right, and offered to buy a replacement. But instead of understanding, Citarella’s head of security fired him on the spot.

The next day, the company made it official with a termination letter.

Now, Israel is fighting back—with a lawsuit under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws, accusing Citarella of age discrimination and targeting long-time employees to cut costs.

Humiliated, Depressed, and Blacklisted

Israel’s termination wasn’t just a job loss—it shattered his dignity.

“I’ve experienced profound shame and embarrassment,” he says in his complaint. “Coworkers saw it happen. Word spread. My professional reputation is ruined.”

Since his firing, Israel has been unable to find a new job. Employers repeatedly ask why he left Citarella, forcing him to relive the humiliation over and over again. He can’t even use the company as a reference.

Worse, his emotional health has plummeted. Anxiety. Depression. Insomnia. Years of purpose and routine gone—because of a lunch.

A Pattern of Discrimination

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Israel says other longtime employees were also let go for similarly petty reasons—one for drinking a coworker’s soda. The lawsuit alleges Citarella is systematically pushing out older, higher-paid workers and replacing them with cheaper, younger staff.

That’s not just unfair—it’s illegal.

What This Means for You

If it can happen to Israel, it can happen to anyone.
Loyalty no longer protects workers. Fairness isn’t guaranteed. And justice rarely comes without a fight.

That’s why we founded the Workers Rights Compliance Alliance (WRCA)—to stand up for people like Israel, and for you.

We expose these abuses.
We connect wronged workers with legal support.
We fight for better labor standards across the country.

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✊ Join the Movement. Defend Your Rights.

If you’ve been fired unfairly, misclassified, denied wages, or treated unjustly in the workplace—you’re not alone.

➡️ Join WRCA today—100% free.
➡️ Tell us your story.
➡️ Help us protect workers like Israel—before it happens to someone else.

👉 Visit: WorkersRightsComplianceAlliance.com

Justice starts with us. And it starts now.