National Farmworker Awareness Day
In celebration of National Farmworker Awareness Week, CFF had the privilege of hosting students from Stanford University as part of the Alternative Spring Break Central Valley California program. The group of 14 students spent the day at CFF learning about farmworker health-related topics. They gained insight into CFF’s focus areas, including health and wellness, education, and workforce development, to support farmworkers. The students learned about the challenges farmworkers encounter and how CFF is working to bridge the gap by offering solutions and resources for farmworkers and their families.
The Central Valley tour began at the CFF Fresno office, where students interacted with staff members to understand the Foundation’s work. Next, the students visited Fowler Packing to explore the company’s culture centered on People, Produce, and Passion. They discovered the company’s commitment to providing care, support, and safety for all employees, farmworkers, and their families. The tour included the packing facility, on-site healthcare clinic, and cafeteria providing meals to employees daily.
The day in Kern County concluded with a community food distribution in Richgrove with CFF. Addressing food insecurity in farm-working communities, CFF highlighted the significance of collaborating with local food banks to ensure direct access to food. Students assisted families in line to receive food, with 231 food boxes and fresh produce distributed during the event.
CFF was grateful for the opportunity to showcase the “CFF way” to Stanford University, sharing firsthand the foundation’s impact on improving the lives of farmworkers, farm-working communities, and the industry. The organization was inspired to narrate its story of partnering to deliver essential resources and services to enhance the quality of life for farmworkers statewide.