Meet the People Behind EFI
Silvia Zaragoza is currently the voice of more than 1,200 agricultural workers, but two years ago she could not read or write. The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) Program arrived at her ranch to raise standards and on the way, transformed her life. Zaragoza is a harvester and member of the Continuous Improvement Team at Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce’s berry farm in Santa Maria, Calif.
From Harvester to Leader
The lack of resources and opportunities in Mexico forced Zaragoza to be part of the workforce from an early age. She left school at seven years old to help her extended family get ahead.
It was not until her first EFI training in 2016, that she found the motivation to learn to read and write.
“The first time they [farm managers] sent me to an EFI training I could not read anything. I couldn’t even write my own name.”
EFI facilitators supported her during the training, explaining food safety regulations, pest management and labor practices through drawings and group activities.
“After receiving the EFI training manual I told myself that I needed to study its contents without outside help,” she recalled.
In just one year she learned how to read and write. She started her literacy journey with the help of mobile applications and practiced her wording via social networks.
With the voice and skills that EFI trainings have given her over the past few years, Zaragoza helps farmworkers with low literacy levels understand standards and safety measures. For instance, she has been explaining food safety standards with the help of illustrations and plans to redesign safety messages with warning symbols so that workers can visualize these measures.
Written by: Rebecca Castrejon, Digital & Communications Associate for EFI
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