WASHINGTON, DC - March is host to one of the fresh produce industry’s most important events of the year: National Farmworker Awareness Week. In celebration of the occasion, Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is calling on growers, associations, state agencies, food companies, retailers, and consumers to put farmworkers in the spotlight.

“Although supply chain challenges have wrought havoc on every industry, the skilled men and women of the food industry, including farmworkers, have shown us their fortitude and ability to rise to the occasion every day and keep our grocery store shelves stocked,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Director of Marketing Communications. “The men and women of agriculture and the food industry bring a level of skilled professionalism that is truly essential and should be valued and celebrated by every consumer.”

Taking place March 25–31, Farmworker Awareness Week brings attention to the millions of essential workers who grow, care for, harvest, pack, and ship agricultural products. Everyone in the supply chain can participate by sharing the key messages and graphics provided in EFI’s free communications toolkit.

The past two years have brought awareness to essential workers and supply chain woes, including the role of agriculture’s frontline workers. A press release explained that today’s consumers have taken a sincere interest in where their food comes from, and the people who help get it from the farm to the table. Nearly 2.5 million people work on farms and ranches and in greenhouses and packing facilities across the United States, helping American farms add $136 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product.

EFI is encouraging food industry peers and consumers alike to amplify the message that farmworkers are #AlwaysEssential by:

• Sharing the communications toolkit and information across the agricultural industry
• Creating unique content or videos for social media highlighting Farmworker Awareness Week and using the #AlwaysEssential hashtag
• Providing “live” content for social media channels featuring farmworker interviews detailing their jobs, safety precautions they take, and the skills and knowledge they bring to their work
• Asking state governors or legislative officials to draft a proclamation supporting Farmworker Awareness Week
• Hosting events in celebration of farmworkers
• Contacting local media and asking them to share information about the role of agriculture and farmworkers in local economies during Farmworker Awareness Week

Those interested in participating can download the communications toolkit linked above, which includes ready-to-use graphics, logos, hashtags, and messages. Agricultural and food industry members are encouraged to create their own graphics from the easily customizable templates, as well as promote their organization, business, or industry and tell their unique story.

Fresh produce advocates unite! This is one worthy cause to put your efforts toward.

Equitable Food Initiative