The Root of the Problem: Enhancing food security among Latino/a farm workers in Vermont

Project Overview

GNE15-109
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2015: $14,537.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2016
Grant Recipient: University of Vermont
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Graduate Student:
Jessie Mazar
Email
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Teresa Mares
Email

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems

    Proposal abstract:

    A food system is not sustainable if farm workers are going hungry. Vermont has been a national role model in developing innovative models for a community-supportive, ecologically responsible food system. However, Vermont’s largest sector of agriculture, the dairy industry, has increasingly relied on Latino/a migrant farm labor. Due to systemic barriers, including isolation and a lack of a year-round visa program, these farm workers are unable to access basic needs, including nutritious, fresh, and culturally relevant food. The objective of this research project is to better understand the barriers to ensuring that workers have food access in order to develop a tool that would aid farm owners in supporting food access and food security for their employees.

    Project objectives from proposal:

     

      1. Understand current gaps in food access for Latino/a farm workers on Vermont’s dairy farms

     

      1. Quantify food insecurity among Latino/a farm workers and identify effective and realistic approaches to increased food access

     

      1. Support and develop initiatives to provide farm workers with greater access to healthy, culturally familiar food

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.