ICF Works to Relieve Food Insecurity
A recent VPR story, newspaper reports, and even a recent book by a UVM professor have been highlighting the plight of migrant workers on (mostly) dairy farms and food insecurity issues. One of our members asked me if there was anything ICF could do to help remedy the problem.
In fact, we have been aware of the problem and have been involved in solutions. We have been growing tomatoes and herbs totaling about 200 plants per year for the Huertas Project for the past three years. Occasionally, the program director has been interested in some leftover field transplants, including broccoli, peppers, and onions. The Huertas Project helps migrant families grow “kitchen gardens” and we’ve been happy to provide plants for these gardens.
One of the stated purposes of The Intervale Community Farm is to “Support the wider community by contributing to the development of sound agricultural and food security initiatives.” As well, we send regular donations to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf for local distribution, but we are also involved with the Vermont Foodbank with donations so that our reach is statewide. In 2018 we donated over 62,000 lbs of fresh produce to these programs and likely reached many migrant families as a result. We also offer a subsidized share program where we make up to 60 shares available to families at a reduced price in the summer.
If you’d like to learn more about this migrant worker food insecurity issue, Teresa Mares will be speaking about her research at Rokeby Museum on Sunday, July 28 at 3:00 pm.
Life on the Other Border
Sunday, July 28, 3:00 pm
Teresa M. Mares, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Vermont, will speak about food insecurity experienced by migrant farmworkers in the northeastern borderlands of the United States. Mares’ research is based on Latinx farmworkers who labor in Vermont’s dairy industry. She will illuminate the complex and resilient ways workers sustain themselves and their families while also serving as the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy. Copies of her book, Life on the Other Border, will be available for sale and signing.