Dozens of congressional leaders signed a letter urging the USDA to prioritize funding for farmworker safety.
Credit: Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian
Two farmworkers sit at the end of strawberry field rows for their lunch break in Watsonville. Author: Kate Cimini | CalMatters Updated: 12:43 PM PST January 14, 2021
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. Farmworkers lost out on up to $1.5 billion in grants and loans for COVID-19 safety needs after the USDA committed funds earmarked as such for a food box program.
The USDA announced on Jan. 4 that it planned to spend $1.5 billion in a fifth round of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. It has yet to commit additional funding for farmworker safety.