Celebrating the Culture, Resilience and Essential Contributions to Agriculture
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti, (202) 524-0540, gro.doofelbatiuqe@aidem
WASHINGTON, September 17, 2025 – Equitable Food Initiative, the capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers and retailers, is proud to mark Hispanic Heritage Month by spotlighting the vital contributions of Hispanic people throughout the agriculture sector.
According to the National Center for Farmworker Health, 78% of agricultural workers self-identify as Hispanic, a figure that underscores the central role they play in sustaining the food systems that feed our nation. Hispanic Heritage Month has been recognized annually from September 15 to October 15 since 1988, when President Ronald Reagan expanded the weeklong celebration to a full month to “properly recognize the significant contributions Hispanic/Latino Americans have made in the United States.”
During the celebratory month, EFI is encouraging agricultural companies to emphasize the rich cultures, traditions and histories of Hispanic communities, while also deepening public understanding of the everyday labor, challenges, resilience and leadership of Hispanic agricultural workers.
EFI has assembled a number of resources and stories to amplify Hispanic voices from the fresh produce industry and raise awareness of Hispanic and Latino heritage in agriculture, including:
- Video conversations with Hispanic agricultural professionals sharing their personal stories of challenge and triumph, from the field and the packing shed to supervisory roles and marketing;
- Profiles and features that highlight how workers of Hispanic and Latin American descent contribute their expertise, skills, cultural knowledge and stewardship to agriculture;
- Social media graphics and celebratory ideas for companies, farms and community organizations to engage meaningfully with Hispanic and Latino employees, promoting inclusive practices, workplace equity and cultural awareness.
“This month is an opportunity to honor the dedication, innovation and spirit of Hispanic and Latinoamerican communities that make the agricultural industry thrive,” said Alexandra Martinez, EFI’s senior digital marketing and sales associate. “This not only includes those who grow, pack and ship the food we eat every day, but also the educators, managers, decision-makers, innovators and so many others shaping the industry.”
EFI invites farms, agribusinesses, retailers and industry stakeholders to join in the celebration by sharing their workers’ stories, integrating cultural education or strengthening policies that support the safety, dignity and well-being of Hispanic workers.
For more information and to view EFI’s Hispanic Heritage Month resources and worker stories, visit equitablefood.org/HHM.
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About EFI
Equitable Food Initiative is a capacity-building and certification nonprofit that works to improve the lives of farmworkers and drive business performance by integrating worker engagement throughout the supply chain. Committed to multistakeholder participation, EFI works with growers, farmworkers, retailers and experts to create assessment, training and organizational development programs that support continuous improvement and address agriculture’s most pressing challenges. For more information about Equitable Food Initiative, visit equitablefood.org.