Food

Filling an Essential Gap.

During the Pandemic Lockdown, the original founders of Hijas del Campo (HDC) recognized that food access was the most pressing issue for the farmworker community in Contra Costa and San Joaquin County. Although our national food system relies heavily on the efforts of migrant and seasonal farmworkers, many of these essential workers struggled to provide food for themselves. This crisis prompted the creation of HDC's food drop-off programs, designed to fill the essential gap in food services for farmworkers. Engaging with the impacted farm workers during our visits underscored the need for increased participation.

Statistics

Despite their critical role in food production, farmworkers face significant food insecurity.

66%

Face Food Insecurity

The California Institute for Rural Studies found that 66% of surveyed farmworkers in California's Central Valley faced food insecurity.

Farmworker food insecurity rates are 2 to 4 times higher than the national household food insecurity rate, which was 10.5% in 2020 (USDA).

$25k

Annual Income

The average annual income for farmworkers is approximately $25,000 to $30,000, often below the poverty line.

20%

Access SNAP Benefits

Only 20% of eligible farmworkers access SNAP benefits due to fear of government programs or lack of awareness. Community organizations and food banks play a crucial role in filling this gap.

Initiatives

Our Key Food Programs

Despensa Program

The Campesinx Despensa Program delivers monthly food bags to over 300 families each month. These bags consist of both fresh and non-perishable food items, along with essential hygiene products such as laundry detergent and soap. We collaborate with the Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank, White Pony Express, and local farms like Urban Edge Farm, Dwelley Family Farm, and Frog Hollow Farm to provide a diverse selection of fresh, local produce. Our refrigerated storage units at our headquarters in Brentwood ensure the safe storage and distribution of perishable items, helping us to minimize food waste.
Field Outreach

Through our partnership with the local Loaves and Fishes organization, we are able to provide hot meals directly to workers in the fields of Contra Costa and San Joaquin County. This initiative not only offers food but also establishes a connection with workers who may feel isolated from essential services. By engaging in outreach efforts in the fields, we disseminate crucial information regarding health, pesticide safety, and workers’ rights. Building trust while supplying farmworkers with the necessary resources to enhance their well-being has been vital to HDC's success.
HDCs Workforce Development

Our vision for the next 5 to 10 years is to secure farmland close to our headquarters, enabling farmworkers to cultivate their own food for distribution through our Despensa Program. This Farm-to-Table model would allow us to enhance and sustain our food initiative and create workforce development opportunities for CampesinXs.