UFW: Fighting for farm worker rights since 1962. Si Se Puede! ® RT≠Endorsement. Press queries: media @ ufw . org
California
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Don't let the heat turn deadly for farm workers. Donations will help us keep doing everything we can to save lives.
act.seiu.org/a/summerheat?ms… #Calor #WeFeedYou
ALT Farm workers working in a field under a very hot sun
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Next time you enjoy radishes in your salad, remember the farmworkers like these Oxnard workers, who harvest the food that we eat. #WeFeedYou #Calor #Ovetime4FarmWorkers
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FYI she earns $1.86 per 60 bundles of radishes, and she paid more state and federal taxes than the president did. #WeFeedYou
United Farm Workers
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This incredibly skilled worker earns $1.86 per 60 bundles of radishes. She’s done this work for the same employer for more than a decade and has the method down to a science. #WeFeedYou #ThankAFarmworker
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That’s California
Wait until the coastal elites find out that this is where their food comes from!
Community note
The stock image is incorrectly described as "farm land in Colorado" in the Alamy photo database from which it was taken: alamy.com/stock-photo-ae…
It actually shows California farmland 75 miles east of San Francisco, as can be verified using satellite images on Google Maps: google.com/maps/place/37%
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Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we’ll share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
#WeFeedYou #ThankAFarmworker
United Farm Workers
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Picking radishes is no easy task. Efrén spends 8-10 hrs/day on his knees, picking and sorting the radishes into small bunches to fill dozens of crates a day in CA's Ventura County. He's proud to have worked in America's fields for 49 years. #WeFeedYou
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Anyone in a corner office can come try our “low skill” work anytime
United Farm Workers
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We organize with Haitian-origin farm workers in NY. They’re as American as the apple pie their work makes possible, but right wing racists are spreading dehumanizing lies.
Haitians are not eating pets.
They’re feeding America.
The anti-Haitian bigotry we’re seeing is repulsive.
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As you gather with friends and family this Thanksgiving, think about the farm workers who contributed to each dish. Tell us your favorite ingredients and we will show you the skilled work behind it. #WeFeedYou
United Farm Workers
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The United Farm Workers is proud to endorse VP Kamala Harris for President. Dime con quien andas, y te digo quien eres.
Kamala Harris stood with farm workers as CA’s Attorney General, as US Senator, and as Vice President. There is work to be done, and we’re ready. Sí, se puede!
ALT Kamala Harris marching with farm workers and holding a UFW banner
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Can you believe it? These NY state farm workers were harvesting cabbages last week for 8 hours on a day that temps ranged between 28°-40°. They earn $10 a one ton bin. They say the rate hasn't gone up for more than 5 years. #WeFeedYou
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Let's hear it for the farm workers, the essential workers who are still out in the fields laboring hard to keep food on our tables and supermarket shelves. Let's let them know how much we appreciate the hard work they do to keep us fed during the #COVID19 pandemic. #WeFeedYou
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As you are shopping, prepping and preparing your Thanksgiving meals, we'd like you to know a little more about the work behind every ingredient and the people doing that work.
Here's a thread for everyone who wants to thank a farm worker this week. #WeFeedYou
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Fernando sent this vid of the watermelon harvest in Bakersfield CA. On this day, the high was 98°. The average-sized watermelon weighs 20 pounds. Whether you enjoy your sliced, diced fruit in a salad, or as juice, this #July4th remember to thank workers like Fernando. #WeFeedYou
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Guess they don’t eat. The majority of the food that feeds America is from our domestic food supply. Brought to you by immigrant workers - from the fields to the roads to the checkout counter.
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Ever wonder where broccoli in your cruidité comes from? This is how it’s harvested. #WeFeedYou
United Farm Workers
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Tag us next time
ALT photo of California farm workers standing in the lettuce field
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BREAKING: The WA Supreme Court has ruled that farm workers have the right to receive overtime pay after eight hours a day of work.
This ruling is about more than money. It is about righting the deep historical wrong of excluding farm workers from labor protections. 1/
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We had to ask him to stop tbh
BREAKING: @SenBooker is the 2nd U.S. Senator to work alongside farm workers as part of @UFWUpdates/@ufwfoundation #TakeOurJobs campaign. He started off the day working in the lettuce.🥬 #WeFeedYou
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George Retes, an American citizen disabled US Army veteran who has been held in federal custody since Thursday, was released without charges this evening. 1/
ALT Photo of George Retes, an American citizen disabled US Army veteran
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Roberto shared this video from Bakersfield CA. Picking watermelons is already hard work but on this day it was the start of an expected weeklong heat wave where the temps would exceed 100 degrees every day. Remember to stay hydrated and rest as needed Roberto. #WeFeedYou
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Sergio is hard at work harvesting parsley. First he cuts the parsley. Then he makes a bunch securing the end with a tie. Then he goes back down the row and puts the parsley in the box. Each box fits 60 bunches. Sergio earns $1.85 per box.
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We are aware of multiple federal operations impacting farm workers across California today. To all working people in California, remember: we are in this together. 1/
ALT Border patrol truck coming into Oxnard fields where farm workers are laboring
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As you shop and prepare your #Thanksgiving meals, we'd like you to know a little more about the work behind the ingredients and the people doing that work to put food on our tables.
Here's a thread for everyone who wants to thank a farm worker this week.
#WeFeedYou
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The UFW can confirm farm workers were critically injured yesterday during chaotic raids in Ventura County, CA. Other workers, including US citizens, remain unaccounted for.
UFW staff is on the ground supporting impacted families.
Our full statement below. ⬇️
1/
ALT a line of heavily armed federal agents in riot gear standing in a field surrounded by tomato plants
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Gov. Newsom has signed #AB2183.
Sí, se puede.
ALT A row of farm workers carrying flags is marching along a sun baked rural highway.
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Charlie is paid piece rates— 75 cents per bucket. He’s by far the fastest in his crew.
(just a Friday reminder of what we mean when we say #WeFeedYou)
United Farm Workers
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Ever wonder where the tomato on your #July4th burger comes from? These Central Valley tomato harvesters spend hours bent over under the sun harvesting. On an average they lift around 170 buckets a day. Each bucket weighs 25 lbs. It’s exhausting, physical labor. #WeFeedYou
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Fernando shared this video of the cilantro harvest in Oxnard CA. He earns $1.80 per box of 60 bunches or .85cents per box of 30 bunches. He is considered a champion because he is so fast and skilled. Thank you Fernando for laboring so we can enjoy cilantro. #WeFeedYou
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We learned with genuine sadness of the passing of famed singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson. Cesar Chavez went backstage in the 1970s to thank Kris when he headlined fundraising concerts for the UFW.
They maintained a lifelong friendship, and Kris stayed active in our movement.
ALT Kris Kristofferson and Cesar Chavez in San Jose in 1982.
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Ventura County strawberry workers are harvesting in heavy smoke from the Hughes Fire. We remind workers their employers have to provide them with respirator masks if the AQI exceeds 150. Stay safe! #WeFeedYou
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There is a historic heat wave in Texas, with many areas topping 117°. High humidity makes the heat more brutally dangerous.
Gov. Abbott just signed a bill nullifying local requirements to give workers water breaks. We still have no federal heat standards.
ALT screenshotted map showing brutal heat forecast in Texas especially
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Martín is a farm worker who works under a ufw contract and he wanted to share, "In this elections I am going to vote for Kamala Harris, because she is going to support us for immigration reform. ¡Sí se puede! with Kamala Harris!" #Vote
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Guillermo sent us this vid of farmworkers harvesting celery in Oxnard CA. They were literally wading through water almost to their knees to harvest the crop. They did it with good humor, proud of the hard work they do without complaints, so we have food on our tables. #WeFeedYou
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Alison sent us this photo from where she's harvesting strawberries in the Ventura County area. She shares you can find beauty in the smallest things and wishes everyone a Happy #ValentinesDay. #WeFeedYou
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Meet Maritza and Carlos. This husband wife team work in Ducor CA picking bins of citrus for $30 each bin. At the end of their day both are tired and dirty but still thankful to be able to continue to work and support their family. #WeFeedYou
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On the very first day of his term, our President signed his first executive orders with a bust of Cesar Chavez watching over his work.
Sí, se puede.
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Jesus works in the tomatoes in Firebaugh CA. The temp was 107 so the was sent home at noon. He shares ‘We have no choice but to endure the heat and risk our lives as we have families to support”. When you eat tomatoes, remember the sacrifice of farm workers like Jesus. #WeFeedYou
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a. Ginger takes at least 4-6 months to mature underground but trimming the greens off helps hasten its maturity.
b. If you’ve never seen pineapples grow, google it— they look wild. Here’s a video of a fascinating teamwork approach to the harvest.
World of Engineering
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Joe Biden has shown tremendous solidarity with farm workers throughout his presidency. His solidarity will not be forgotten by the workers who put food on America’s table.
We are deeply grateful to the President for his fierce dedication to working people across America.
ALT president joe biden taking a selfie with farm workers
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Abel's a truck driver in the Bakersfield CA area grape harvest. Once the grapes have been picked & packed, he & his team mate load the hundreds of boxes onto the trailer. Depending on the variety, the boxes easily weigh 20 pound each. The high this day was 106°. #WeFeedYou #Calor
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The United Farm Workers, along with the entire labor movement, stands in strong solidarity with our comrade, labor leader David Huerta. We demand his immediate release and condemn indiscriminate sweeps targeting working class immigrants.
ALT The United Farm Workers condemns the violence against our comrade David Huerta, the President of SEIU California and SEIU-USWW, who was injured and detained while exercising his constitutional rights during an ICE raid in Los Angeles. Now more than ever, it is urgent for all working people in the United States to defend the immigrant workers who contribute so much to our country. An attack against one worker is an attack on all workers -- union and solidarity are our response. Si se puede.
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The high was 103° the day Gabriel shared this pic from where he was harvesting grapes in the Bakersfield area. He said: I'm proud of feeding America. In CA the UFW won heat protections for farm workers. Farm workers in all states deserve these same protections. #CALOR #WeFeedYou
ALT Farm worker holding up grapes in a Bakersfield area grape vineyard
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We mourn the loss of 7 farm workers in #HalfMoonBay.
While we wait for more news, we dream of a nation in which our hearts have a moment to heal in between breaking.
Our full statement:
ufw.org/ufw-statement-re-hal…
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Farm workers don't get to use Zoom to harvest our food. Ramiro sent us this photo from Salinas CA where he is currently harvesting lettuce during the wildfires, despite the air quality being "very unhealthy ." #WeFeedYou
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Fact: When bosses say “if our working conditions were really that bad, nobody would work for us!” they clearly don’t understand the economic desperation of working people.
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Our hearts are heavy for the grieving family of Jaime Alanis, who died from injuries sustained during a chaotic raid on Thursday.
We'll do everything we can to support them. We continue to work with hundreds of farm worker families navigating the aftermath of this violent raid.
ALT photo of Jaime Alanis
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Lettuce tastes great on your #July4 burger or salad. Harvesting it is an extremely difficult job because of the constant bending down and use of sharp tools. As we enjoy our holiday BBQs, let's remember the farm workers who make this meal possible. #WeFeedYou
ALT Workers harvesting watermelons
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Joaquin's dumping onions in Boardman WA. Back breaking work in direct sun, sometimes in 110° temps. Joaquin shares, "This is the reality for farmworkers. We're essential. We give 110% in the fields. Now it's time Senators do their part & pass #FarmWorkerLegalization." #WeAreHome
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Felix sent is this video from Oxnard CA where he was harvesting strawberries in the rain yesterday. He said: I want to let consumers know the work we do to make sure America is fed. #WeFeedYou
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This worker earns $1.90 per crate of 65 bundles.
Undervaluing farm work is steeped in the racist shadow of slavery- since southern Congressmen voted to exclude farm workers from labor protections in the 1930s.
None of us are free until all of us are free.
#StrikeForBlackLives
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We have grave concerns about the ongoing desperate struggle of farm workers in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and we are deeply afraid of the destruction headed for Florida farm workers as Hurricane Milton approaches. 1/
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Farm workers mourn the passing of actor and activist Ed Asner, who championed Cesar Chavez and the UFW since the 1970s.
ufw.org/farmworkersmournpass…
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This wine grape worker Lorenzo earns $160 per ton of grapes picked for Napa region wines. Once grapes are picked they are hand cleaned for debris.
(Looking for a union wine? Chateau Ste Michelle has a reputation for fair wages and taking worker safety seriously. @SteMichelle)
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We often get asked why we cover our skin even in hot weather. Why do we need long pants, long sleeves and head/face coverings in 100+ weather?
Reason one: health experts advise anyone to dress in light layers to keep cool when working in the sun. (1/thread) #WeFeedYou
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Breaking: Farm workers just walked out on strike at the Wonderful Company in Bakersfield CA. Stay tuned for updates.
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Let's give a shout out to the people who labor in the fields to put food on our tables.
Mandemosle un saludo a la gente que trabajan en el campo para poner comida en nuestras mesas.
#WeFeedYou #LaborDay
Thank you @ignaciogomezart for letting us use this art
ALT A piece of art by artist Ignacio Gomez of farm workers laboring in the fields
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Strange but true: the largest donation UFW received in the past year was from an internet cat.
Supporting the United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) helps fund the battle for justice for the incredibly skilled, incredibly vulnerable people who feed this whole country.
UFW made a special link where my friends can sign up for their advocacy list here: act.seiu.org/a/jorts_sign_up
ALT An orange cat is sitting in front of a crate of freshly harvested radishes. Text reads UNITED FARM WORKERS and a twitter icon beside the @UFWupdates twitter handle
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ADVISORY: Statement, media avail. from unjustly detained U.S. veteran George Retes
Ventura County, CA—
Wed 7/16 at 3 pm PT, George Retes, U.S. citizen and Army veteran unjustly detained by federal agents during last week’s raid will hold a virtual press availability. 1/
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Parsley workers earn around $1.90 per crate of 60-65 bundles. The skill of the worker here is astonishing. Video is from near Oxnard.
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As you begin preparing to gather with friends and family for a Thanksgiving meal, share your favorite holiday dishes and traditions below.
We’ll show you the skilled work it takes to plant, tend and harvest the food on your table. #WeFeedYou
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Charlie showed us how he harvests turnips. He's paid piece rate - he earns $1.50 every 2 buckets. He is the fastest in his crew and averages 24-26 buckets/hr.
Rushing without skill could easily cost you a finger.
United Farm Workers
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While many of us are enjoying #LaborDay as a day off, farm workers are laboring in the fields. Yesi sent this pic while working in the sweet potatoes in Merced County CA. They work for minimum wage while bringing this vegetable to our tables. #WeFeedYou
ALT 3 farm worker woman standing together at the edge of a sweet potato field wearing hats and US flag bandanas
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Check out cartoon by artist @laloalcaraz: This #Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for farmworkers!
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Farm workers on poultry and dairy farms are on the front lines of avian flu outbreaks. They’re taking all the risk, and they’re not making 19x higher wages.
$16.89 for a dozen eggs at the grocery store near my daughter’s apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, ordered the Department of Agriculture to fire the scientists in charge of responding to the avian flu.
In the last year, 40 million birds have been culled in the US because of the avian flu.
In 2019, the price of a dozen eggs in the US was $1.94.
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Jesus shared this pic from Madera CA. This bunch of table grapes weighs nearly 10 pounds and will soon be on its way to a supermarket near you thanks to Jesus and farm workers like him. Thank you Jesus for sharing! #WeFeedYou
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We are aware that immigration authorities are in the area targeting farm workers in the Camarillo CA area. We are on the ground doing what we can to help and will update you shortly.
vcstar.com/story/news/local/…
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Chepe works in the raspberries in Ventura Co. He shares, I am an immigrant. For me and my colleagues there are no holidays, no days off, we continue working. Even so, I want to wish everyone happy holidays. #WeFeedYou
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Juan sent this photo from where he was picking peaches in Fresno CA. On this day the temp reached 101°. His bag weighs about 50 pounds when full of fruit. He climbs up and down the ladder dozens of times a day to empty the bag into a big bin. #WeFeedYou #Calor
ALT Peach harvester in Fresno CA with 50lb filled lag across his chest
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Multiple UFW union offices received this in the mail this week. Thanks for reaching out!
ALT postcard: Report Illegal Aliens At schools At work At church At restaurants In your neighborhood THERE IS NOWHERE TO HIDE
ALT back of a postcard, address obscured by pixels, sent from Oakland, CA sender name is “Trumps Coming”
ALT back of a postcard, address obscured by pixels, sent from Oakland, CA sender name is “Trumps Coming”
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NOW: Border Patrol is continuing raids on farm workers in Ventura County, especially Moorpark and Oxnard.
Agents are circling like sharks. Farm workers in areas with heightened activity should check in on each other and take steps to keep safe. Report what you see to us.
ALT border patrol vehicles
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Leticia is working the cherry harvest in Zillah WA. She's exhausted as temps have been 100°+ all week. Her shift starts at 4:30 am and she's been working for almost 10 hours. She'll rest during the hottest part of the day and return at 6pm to resume harvesting. #Calor #WeFeedYou
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This worker is thinning peach trees in Central CA. It takes skill to do this while balanced on top of a ladder. He's currently making CA min wage. It's hard to support his family on this. He's eager for harvesting to start when he could get piece rate and earn more. #WeFeedYou
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On May 2nd, in Western NY, federal immigration agents stopped a bus of farm workers from Lynn-Ette & Sons Farms. They had a list of names, including UFW worker leaders who have been organizing to unionize their workplace. Those workers were detained. 1/
#WeFeedYou
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Maritza and Carlos are a husband wife team in Ducor CA. They are paid around $30 per 900lb bin of citrus they pick. At the end of their day they’re tired and dirty but are glad they’ve been able to work together to provide for their family.
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Things can be different. Farm workers are invisible to so many.
Vote for people who have always seen us.
United Farm Workers
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Fredy shared a video of the celery harvest in Arvin CA. Using a sharp knife he cuts the base, then the leafy tops as well, all while on his knees. He will do this work 8 hours a day. When you enjoy celery in your soup or potato salad remember the skilled work of Fredy. #WeFeedYou
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Carrots and celery both have juices that are “photoreactive” and can be dangerous to exposed skin when harvesting. You’ll notice here these workers are careful to cover their skin even though it was over 100 degrees.
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Alma shared this video of the green bell pepper harvest in Bakersfield CA. She skillfully makes her way down each row on her knees, filling each bucket with the peppers that will end up in our favorite summer dishes. Thank you Alma for the work you do.#WeFeedYou
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If you eat food in this country: Remember immigrant hands were part of planting, harvesting, milking, and processing it for your family’s table. #WeFeedYou #WeAreHome
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Yaqui sent us this vid of the strawberry harvest in CA. Workers like Yaqui pick & sort according to size & color, leaving the less ripe berries to pick when they return in 2-3 days. Workers are paid by piece rate so you will often see them running in between tasks. #WeFeedYou
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Kris Kristofferson Paid a Price for His Social Activism. He Didn’t Care. "I'd be more marketable as a right-wing redneck," he once said, "but I got into this to tell the truth as I saw it."
rollingstone.com/music/music…
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Nothing says #July4 like a big juicy slice of watermelon. This yummy fruit doesn't just appear on our picnic table. It takes a lot of work. An average watermelon weighs 20 pounds. Can you imagine harvesting them in a 98° Bakersfield area field like these workers? #WeFeedYou
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Chepe harvests raspberries in Ventura County. He came to the US to ensure his family a better future. He works in all sorts of weather and says it is time for farm worker immigration reform for those who labor so hard to feed America. #WeFeedYou
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Amadeo sent us this video from where he and his crew were harvesting strawberries in Oxnard yesterday. #WeFeedYou
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"Juan" appreciates the cloudy cool day as he harvests radishes on CAs Central Coast. He knows June gloom will soon end and he'll be working under a searing summer sun as he labors to put food on Americas tables. #WeFeedYou
ALT Worker harvesting radishes
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Melvin just sent us this video from the celery harvest in Oxnard CA. Thank you Melvin we appreciate your hard work so we get celery with our chicken wings, our veggie platters & even part of our Thanksgiving stuffing. #WeFeedYou
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