Category: In the News

EFI Programs Featured in New York Times as a Solution to Agricultural Labor Issues

Last week, The New York Times published a feature by Lydia DePillis titled “America’s Farms Depend More Than Ever on a Troubled Visa Program.” The article shines a light on the fact that the U.S. food supply is deeply dependent...

EFI Releases Toolkit to Help Industry Prepare for Farmworker Awareness Week

Farmworker Awareness Week, from March 25 to 31, is an opportunity to honor the invaluable contributions of farmworkers to the food supply chain and to raise awareness about the challenges they face. EFI’s toolkit provides companies, organizations and individuals with...

How to Write a Winning-Nomination for Farmworker of the Year

The Farmworker of the Year Award was launched in 2024 to recognize the essential workers who bring food to our tables. Over 40 nominations were submitted, and every nominee had a different story: stories of resilience, leadership, growth, mentorship, and...

Equitable Food Initiative Celebrates Another Year of Impact

Key 2024 Achievements in Programs, Industry Education and Certifications MEDIA RELEASE Contact: LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti, (202) 524-0540, gro.doofelbatiuqe@aidem Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups, celebrated a groundbreaking year...

Nominations Open for Farmworker of the Year 2025

Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups, proudly announces the kickoff of the second annual Farmworker of the Year Award. The award honors the vital contributions of farmworkers, whose...

Honoring the Unsung Heroes of Agriculture

Maria de Sagrario Iglesias of FirstFruits Farms has been named the winner of the inaugural Grow the Good Farmworker of the Year Award, a groundbreaking program to recognize the invaluable contributions of farmworkers in the fresh produce industry....

[Podcast] The Produce Moms: Farmworker Awareness Week and the Invisible Workers Sustaining Our Food Supply

Produce Moms Founder and CEO talks with LeAnne Ruzzamenti of EFI and Nicole Minnich-Zapata of Misionero about the importance of honoring the contributions of farmworkers to the food supply chain....

LA TIMES: U.S. Blocking Tomato Shipments From Mexican Farms Accused of Abusing Workers

This article in the Los Angeles Times examines the Biden administration's October 2021 move to block tomato imports from two large Mexican agribusinesses accused of forced labor abuses, including withheld wages and subjecting workers to abusive working and living conditions....

Zeroing In On The Recruitment Practices In The Fresh Produce Supply Chain

The &Wider Podcast talks to EFI Managing Director Kenton Harmer about the important changes that need to be made in the recruitment process. listen to the podcast....