Background
As we push our loaded grocery carts through the supermarket or run by the deli for one more specialty item, how often do we think about those who make this convenience possible for us—the agricultural workers who plant and harvest what we eat?

They often are people who work hard for low wages. Some are among the more than 36 million Americans who live in households that struggle to put food on their own tables. Many are among the increasing number of immigrants from Latin America who come to the United States because of the adverse effects that treaties like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have had on their local economies. Some are migrant workers who send money back to their families in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

Too often, migrant workers' living arrangements and working conditions are hidden from those who benefit the most from their labor. Their living and working conditions are frequently poor and inadequate. The situation in the Coachella Valley in California is representative of what can be seen in places all over the United States.

The Coachella Valley, home to the snowbirds and movie stars of Palm Springs and Palm Desert, is also one of the largest agricultural areas in the United States. Seventy percent of the children in the valley live at, or near, the federal poverty level. Within a few minutes' drive from the gated communities of the affluent is a community of substandard trailers that are home to 8,000 farm workers and their families. Here, children play in the dirt of unpaved roads that become virtually impassable when the rainy season turns them to mud. Most trailers house several families so they can afford to pay the rent. Is this the developing world? Yes—but in the United States.

What Can Be Done?
Hidden Harvest, a community-based agency in the Coachella Valley, is one way concerned people are responding. The fertile Coachella Valley produces more food than it can harvest and sell to markets: artichokes, asparagus, bok choy, carrots, cauliflower, grapes, peppers, tomatoes and zucchini, to name a few. Blemished or discolored fruit and vegetables, produce that is larger or smaller than the preferred packaging size, and items whose market price has fallen too low, are plowed under. This is where Christy Porter, founding director of Hidden Harvest, stepped in and, with the cooperation of some of the farm owners, began a gleaning operation that put migrant workers back in the fields after the first harvest was finished. Hidden Harvest pays the workers above minimum wage and covers their liability in case of an accident. Operating since 2000, Hidden Harvest has recovered approximately 1 million pounds of produce and delivered it free of charge to 62 agencies serving the hungry throughout the valley. In addition, the low-income farm workers receive the benefit of more hours of paid work that then translates to greater self-reliance and independence.

Biblical/Theological Dimensions
"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24).

The Presbyterian Hunger Program's Web site has a good variety of programs and resource materials, including the Just Eating curriculum.

The Blessing the Hands curriculum is available from the National Farm Worker Ministry.

The PC(USA)'s Rural Ministry Network

Agricultural Missions, Inc. (AMI)'s mission is to work in partnership with people of faith and conscience around the world to end poverty and injustice that affect rural communities. The PC(USA) and Presbyterian Women have a long partnership with AMI.

Bread for the World