Editor’s note: This commentary is by Euphemia Anderson, a student at the University of Vermont majoring in Environmental Studies and Sustainability.
[I]mplications of racial inequality in the food systems create issues in many areas, including environmental sustainability, food insecurity, food distribution inequalities, and income disparities. Addressing the issue of racial prejudice in the food system would create trickle-down effects and could make a notable difference in the way our country operates and serves everyone more equally.
Farm workers are affected by the inequalities within the food system in the United States for several key reasons. Historically, the food system has been riddled by inequality and oppression, dating back to the times of slavery on Southern plantations. Although the 13th Amendment to the Constitution ensured that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction,” the conditions, pay, and health and safety ethics of the agricultural industry are far below a justifiable standard.
According to the most recent National Agricultural Workers Survey, 78% of farm workers were born in a country other than the United States. In addition to this statistic, according to the National Farm Worker Ministry it has been estimated that six out of 10 farm workers in the United States are undocumented, and being an undocumented immigrant comes with a host of problems. A study that was done regarding wage differences in documented and undocumented found that undocumented farm workers earned 55% less than their documented counterparts. Undocumented workers also seldom report any injuries or misconduct that may occur due to fear of being sent back to their home country.
So, why do so many immigrants come to the United States looking for work with no documentation? The sad truth is that many would rather endure the poor conditions of working as an undocumented laborer in the United States than bear the conditions in their own country.
With over 230 million people living within the borders of the United States, an effective food system is necessary in order to sustain the population. According to United States Department of Agriculture, the agriculture and food industries contribute $1.053 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product in 2017. It is obvious that the agricultural industry largely contributes to our economy, and without both documented and undocumented immigrants doing the hard labor to put food in our stores and on our tables we will no longer be able to sustain our economy, or let alone to feed our country.
Moving forward, a thorough immigration reform will be needed to begin to address this growing issue, and at the very least, a reform in labor laws. Any advancements in farm worker employment and food system reform would lead to a myriad of trickle-down influences, that could ultimately improve the economy, social justice, and the food system as a whole.