AGhann fires in southern Oregon in 2020 swept, killing at least 11 people, which destroyed thousands of homes and burned more than 1 meters of land. Brutal choice: Stay and work through the increasing smoke fog and approaching fires, or lose their daily wages.
Farmer workers all over the United States are working on the front lines of the climate crisis, and feel their effects – from natural disasters to heat – first, and worse.
Therefore, in the wake of Almeda fires, which are now ranked as the most destructive in the history of Oregon, called a local non -profit institution Unite I began to help farm workers on two fronts. After providing hot meals at the beginning and food boxes for the survivors of the disaster, the group now hosts a weekly market for farmers that offer free eggs, fruits and vegetables to those who are still facing food insecurity with the recovery extension – with no questions about income or migration.
The market is not allowed for residents only to obtain healthy food without any cost, but by buying local products, Rogue food UNITES also supports independently owned small farms that operate after the epidemic and forest fires.
“The intention is to welcome all families,” said Jesus Rios, the customer’s client communication manager at Rogue Food Units, noting that many families they serve are workers on the farm and other seasonal workers, many of whom are not documented. “It is open to anyone.”
EVin one before the fires, southern Oregon was facing the housing crisis at reasonable prices. In Midford, More than half of the tenants They were costly carried, which means that they paid more than a third of their income on housing. Now, people’s budgets are more strict as rents have increased after disasters.
“Usually, near the end of the month in the market, we hear families saying:” We are really grateful for this food because we do not have any other money to grocery, “said Rios.
RoGue Food only unifies the farmers market on the farm.
Maria, a restaurant worker who is not documented asking her full name that is not used due to immigration concerns, has lost 14 years of hard work almost overnight during Almeda’s fires – her family’s home, car and most of their properties. In the four years that followed, in their efforts to rebuild, they also wiped most of their savings, says Maria through a translator.
Maria and her husband work in restaurants in the densely populated area in the south Oregon Rug Valley is called. It has already struck the Covid-19 pandemic, which it left with each of the less hours at work, and the family was struggling to apostasy. She said, “We need to work three times so much.” “The cost of everything – rent, food – much higher.”
To compensate for the enlarged cost of living since the forest fires, Maria relied on the farmers market, as it can get the basic foodstuffs for free.
Farmer workers in southern Oregon constantly say that the cost of housing is their largest issue, according to Reina Lopez, director of Pineros Y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), a state -level farmer union. She says farmer workers in southern Oregon are often pressed due to the cost of housing and other necessities. “In our membership, at least a quarter of people say they went to a food bank during the past year,” she said.
the Average worker salaries on farms in the state Less than $ 25,000 a year, according to state data. Lopez said: “It is largely destructive that the same population guarantees the nutrition of America, and that a large part of them are food ears,” said Lopez. “It is no secret that the majority of these workforce are Mexico or Latin America.”
However, many of these families are unable to access federal assistance, such as the supplementary nutrition program (Snap), to help buy groceries every month. At least 1.2 million low -income immigrants Throughout the United States, including permanent legal population, it is closed from this basic food aid program due to migration.
Lopez said: “The migration situation is linked to everything.” “There are many doors that are closed to you, such as Snap benefits, health care services, and social security benefits – even if you have worked there throughout your life.”
Activists pay for change.
IN 2023, PCUN and the Coalition of Food Justice and Immigration supported a draft law in the legislative body in Oregon “called”Food for all Oregon stateThe draft law will put government funding aside for a surprising program for Origonians who cannot reach federal advantages due to immigration.
“The basic hypothesis is that if you are a human being, you deserve food,” said Susanna Morgan, President of Oregon Food Bank, one of the largest organizations participating in the coalition. “Immigrants, refugees-our neighbors, co-workers and friends-are facing some of the highest hunger rates in our state. It is unacceptable that federal policies continue to exclude our societies.”
Although the bill did not pass in the 2023 session, the defenders are planning to re -present it this year.
more than 60,000 people can benefit from Oregon Of the expanded benefits, at a cost of $ 120 million every two years, Morgan says. As proposed, the program will allow people to use the same requests for federal or federal food assistance; Applicants who are citizens will qualify for federal advantages, while those who do not hold documents are qualified to obtain state -backed benefits instead.
“If we can reduce the requirements of eligibility and simplify the application process, many families will be able to reach this basic food support,” said Lopez.
In 2022, the coalition successfully prompted the Legislative Council to pass a draft law It expands the benefits of additional work for farm workers. After Almeda fires, PCUN pushed stronger heat and smoke bases, and to protect outdoor workers from unsafe conditions during climate disasters. In 2022, The state adopted the strongest protection in the countryThe assumption that employers provide access to shadow, cold water and comfort in harsh conditions. This is more important in the changing climate.
Lopez said: “Getting higher wages and making sure that people are able to live in the quality of life is really important when it comes to the justice of food,” said Lopez. “The lack of financial security leads people to rely on fewer food food – or perhaps people go without eating, because fear of deportation can prevent unconfirmed workers from seeking help.”
Now, when Donald Trump begins his second period, observers Fearful The new administration will target these networks that are already insufficient.
“We are not trying to benefit [of benefits programs]Maria, the restaurant worker from Wadi Rog. “But life is difficult. The government must think about it – our children suffer from the consequences of hunger more. If there is money available, people should not be affected.”
This story is part of a continuous series of reports on a fair diet and a friend of climate that is produced in cooperation with GuardianNexus Media News, sensitive and Yes! magazineFunded by the press network solutions, consulting support from Garrett Broad (University
