Farm workers celebrated at appreciation night

Without the migrant farm workers who come to Canada each year, fruit and vegetable prices in Ontario would skyrocket, said Joanne Hall, a volunteer at last week’s Migrant Worker Appreciation Day.

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The Thursday evening event in Simcoe included a free dinner, dessert and all sorts of swag from organizations that support, inform and protect migrant or off-shore workers in the area.

“The more that people know what these men and women do for us, the better it is for all,” said Hall, a volunteer in the program that provides weekly meals, clothing and toiletries.

“I say to everyone ‘Did you have fruit or vegetables today?’ because, without these workers, we we wouldn’t have those, or we’d be paying sky-high prices.”

For the hundreds of mostly men who attended the appreciation event, it was a chance to enjoy one of the weekly meals they didn’t have to cook themselves while socializing with others at the Trinity Anglican Church, which provides the venue.

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But the event also brought in community partners as diverse as the public library to health organizations and firefighters, each bearing small gifts for the workers.

“We want to show our appreciation for everything they do,” said Diana Rueda, the organizer of the event.

A co-ordinator with Huron Farm Workers, Rueda said the appreciation night featured chances to win a bicycle, clothing and a microwave oven, along with the meal and usual hygiene items.

“These workers come here, some for eight or nine months, and there’s a lot of loneliness. It’s just work, work, work,” said Rueda.

“Many of them have babies born while they’re away and they can’t see their families. We just want them to see that we know they’re here.”

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The Grand River Community Health Center was connecting with as many workers as possible, handing out sunscreen and shampoo and doing blood pressure checks.

“Our goal is to provide health-care services to all the workers who come here to support agricultural production,” said Carly Watson, the program manager for an international agricultural program at GRCHC.

While all farm workers have access to health care through OHIP, some have trouble getting an opportunity to connect due to time restrictions or transportation.

The Toronto-based TNO (The Neighborhood Organization) helped fund the appreciation night and has ongoing employees supporting the needs of migrant workers.

“We want them to know their rights, share information, help them adjust into their communities and hold events like this to connect to their communities,” said Jennifer Rajasekar from TNO.

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And such events help raise community awareness so Ontario citizens remember the vital role migrant workers play in the food system, she said.

Jorge Guevara said he and his friends, from the Mexico City area, did feel appreciated by the event.

“I’ve been coming to Canada for 11 years. Five of them at the same (tobacco) farm. We were talking about this appreciation and said it is fantastic. We are always happy every Thursday or Friday (to come to the meals.)”

Guevara said it made them proud to know people recognize the important role the workers play in Ontario’s food system.

“Every year when I come to Canada for work, I send money to my family. In Mexico, it’s difficult for us to find a good job, so here, it’s good.”

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