National Farmworker Awareness Week (NFAW) kicked off on Tuesday, March 25th, and runs through Monday, March 31st. According to Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF), this is “a week of action for students and community members to honor farmworkers’ important contributions and to raise awareness about the issues they face.” Learn more here.
Farmworkers are the backbone of our food system, both large and small. In the Johns Hopkins Seminar on NFAW, host Grant Tote put it simply: “Farmworkers feed the world.” That is an incredibly important job, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our local farmers, farmworkers, and producers. We recognize that their work is not easy; it is a labor of love and resilience. From dawn until dusk, they face countless challenges, even on the best of days.
At the Grain Train, our relationships with local farmers and producers are at the core of who we are. Our Board of Directors has charged us with contributing to a vibrant local economy, and that commitment extends beyond our two stores. We encourage the farmers we partner with to set sustainable prices when entering the wholesale market. We care about their well-being and want these partnerships to last for years to come. We truly are stronger together, and our local farmers and producers help bring the Grain Train’s mission to life: Making a Difference One Bite at a Time.
This commitment is why we have been involved in initiatives like the Local Food Alliance of Northern Michigan since its inception in 2012. This group of community advocates works to support farmers and strengthen local food systems. Other local organizations doing critical food and farm work include Michigan State University Extension, the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, and the Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology. We are proud to lift up and support their efforts.
As part of National Farmworker Awareness Week, we also want to shed light on some of the national challenges farmworkers face. During the Johns Hopkins webinar, Carly Hyland, PhD, MS, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension at the Berkeley School of Public Health, highlighted how climate change disproportionately impacts farmworkers. Some key concerns include:
- The physically demanding nature of farm work
- Exposure to chemical, physical, and biological health threats
- Limited access to healthcare and legal protections
- A lack of standards and policies to safeguard workers
Dr. Hyland described a vicious cycle: rising temperatures lead to increased heat stress among farmworkers. Many are paid based on productivity (such as how much they plant or harvest daily), making them less likely to take breaks—even if those breaks are paid. Additionally, while personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce exposure to pesticides and sun, wearing extra layers in extreme heat can be unbearable. Farmworkers don’t need more education on PPE; they need better working conditions and policies that ensure their health and safety without jeopardizing their income.
Even in California, where farmworker protections are among the strongest, significant challenges remain. In a study of 1,000 farmworkers, 75% reported working during a wildfire, 69% experienced short-term health effects, and 90% expressed concern about the risks. Despite these dangers, financial constraints force them to keep working. Many of these same workers spend 50-75% of their income on rent, with 19% spending as much as 75-100%. Simply put, they cannot afford to stop working.
Farah Arosemena-Murfee, Assistant Scientist at the University of Florida, shared in the same seminar that 80% of U.S. agricultural workers—in both crops and livestock—are foreign-born. Of these, 850,000 are unauthorized workers, and 300,000 are part of the H-2A visa program. However, many unauthorized workers are leaving the country due to fear, and the future of H-2A workers remains uncertain. Farah emphasized that there is no ready workforce to replace them, posing a serious threat to our food systems.
She also noted that since USAID has been defunded, food waste has increased across the country, with no clear plan for redistribution. We share this information to keep our community informed and to raise awareness about the pressing issues affecting farmworkers nationwide. For those interested in staying up to date on national food policy, Civil Eats has created a Food Policy Tracker.
But don’t worry—we won’t end on a bleak note! We remain dedicated to ensuring our customers and communities have access to food that is healthy for both people and the planet. Our “Good, Better, Best” approach allows us to serve a diverse customer base while prioritizing:
- Non-Certified Local produced according to organic standards
- Certified Organic, Non-Local
- Non-GMO Project Verified products
- Fair Trade products
- Products free of artificial preservatives, colorings or flavorings, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, synthetic sweeteners, and synthetic nitrates or nitrites
- Non-irradiated products
- Products that do not use animals for research or testing purposes
- Recyclable packaging
One company that stands out for its commitment to farmworker advocacy is Equal Exchange. Check out how they support small farmers around the world.
You might wonder why we don’t adopt a “Best Only” policy for our product guidelines. The reality is, we dream of a world where everyone can afford the very best, most ethically sourced food. However, in today’s landscape, we acknowledge that accessibility is key and that ensuring people are fed is the priority.
Until a more equitable food system exists, we will continue to offer our Owners and customers choices through programs like Co-op Deals, Co-op Basics, Provisions, and Owner Deals & Discounts. We also accept SNAP benefits and are working toward implementing Double Up Food Bucks. Additionally, we participate in the LTBB Food Farmacy program, providing discounts to participants working toward better health. We are proud to serve as the Downtown Petoskey Farmers Market Food Assistance Sponsor, ensuring that SNAP users can also access Double Up Food Bucks at the market.
We believe every small step matters, and when we all keep taking them, we move closer to a more just and equitable food system. We are deeply grateful for the work of all farmworkers—locally, nationally, and globally. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. Until next time, keep cooperating and we will see you in the stores.
