āThey are our quality of life,ā says RobĀ Horricks, CEO of Blush Lane andĀ Owner of an organic orchard in Keremeos, BC,Ā when asked aboutĀ importance of temporary foreign workers (TFW) and travelers (often Quebecois) to local fruit production.Ā WhatĀ HorricksĀ means isĀ thatĀ without theĀ many seasonal field workers that travel to the province everyĀ summerĀ to work, Canadians would not be able to enjoy the luxury of an abundant amount locally grown produce.Ā Due to many factors related to COVID-19 however, thisĀ undervalued dependencyĀ by our food systemĀ onĀ theseĀ labourersĀ may soon become realized by the everyday consumer withĀ aĀ starkĀ awakening. Fruit farmers, particularly cherry and apples farmers, are struggling more than ever to find workers.Ā Ā
In response to this reality, we want to share some reasons whyĀ farmers are strugglingĀ this season and offerĀ someĀ ways that you can helpĀ out.Ā
Why there is a lack of field workersĀ
The struggle to find agricultural workersĀ started back in March when the Government of Canada halted most non-residents from entering the country.Ā With the agricultural industry employingĀ about 60,000Ā TFWsĀ however, theĀ Government has since given an exemptionĀ toĀ this sector.Ā Ā
Today, althoughĀ TFWs are allowed toĀ enter theĀ country or province, many farmers are still seeing unprecedented shortagesĀ inĀ labour.Ā One reason is that many workersĀ have decided to stay home due to fears related to beingĀ separatedĀ from loved ones during a pandemic. Further, for manyĀ labourersĀ that doĀ make the journey,Ā they are required to isolate for two weeks before starting work which delays production even further.Ā Ā
To top off these challenges, farmers have hadĀ littleĀ luck recruiting local residents to fill these positions for various reasons. One challenge is thatĀ theĀ Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program appears to be incentivizing individuals to stay unemployed rather than seekĀ hardworkingĀ jobs.Ā In addition,Ā HorrickāsĀ mentioned that much of cherry and apple farming is inherentlyĀ unpredictableĀ and thusĀ farmers cannot guarantee days of work or start dates. This characteristic of the work makes seeking employment with these farms unattractiveĀ to many.Ā Ā
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How you can helpĀ
If you enjoy the outdoors, like to work hard, and are unemployed,Ā now could be your time to try something new and have a real impact on your local food system!Ā It is aĀ perfectĀ way to get some āgarden therapyā asĀ HorricksĀ calls it, and a great way to help out aĀ neighbour.Ā Check outĀ thisĀ websiteĀ for job postings.Ā
As a consumer, you can help by buying local produce when you see it! Prices may be higher than you typically expect, but try to respect the fact that these prices reflect the many challenges that farmers are facing. Many produce operations will have to increase the prices in order to make it through the season.Ā
If you love local as much as we do at SPUD.ca, share with us how else we can support our food system!Ā