WASHINGTON, DC - Creating major challenges for many industries, including fresh produce, labor shortages have been seen throughout the pandemic and as we head into post-COVID-19 recovery. One of the ongoing issues affecting the labor shortages is immigration, which is one of the reasons why Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) will be meeting with major representatives from farm and farmworker organizations as part of the Agricultural Immigration Reform Roundtable. Through the meeting, the leaders are looking to hear firsthand the need for legislative solutions to the agricultural labor challenges.

“Farmers and farmworkers need certainty to continue producing an abundant, safe, and affordable domestic food supply. Securing a reliable and skilled agricultural workforce is essential to the future viability of America’s family farms and long-term prosperity of farmworker communities,” said a statement sent out by Western Growers in regard to the roundtable meeting.

The Agricultural Immigration Reform Roundtable is taking place today, Wednesday June 16, from 8:45–9:45 a.m. EST. In addition to Secretary Vilsack and Senators Crapo and Bennet, Dave Puglia, Tom Stenzel, and other leaders from across the fresh produce industry will be in attendance.

This conversation will build on the momentum created by the bipartisan passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act in the House, and will jumpstart meaningful conversations from both sides of the political aisle to create policy solutions to protect the nation’s food supply.

What solutions will come from this melding of industry minds? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring you the answers.

Western Growers