Hispanic Federation, Partners Distribute More Than $1,140,000 To Over 1,900 Florida Farmworkers Who Incurred Pandemic-Related Health Expenses
For Immediate Release: June 9, 2023
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Announcement is part of the $44.3 million USDA Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Awarded to Hispanic Federation to distribute $600 one-time payments to farm and food workers who incurred pandemic-related health and safety costs. Applications are still open in Florida to support even more farmworkers
FLORIDA—Hispanic Federation (HF) held a press conference and toured a farm in Plant City, Florida to announce that, since March 2023, it has distributed more than $1,140,000 to over 1,900 Florida farmworkers who incurred pandemic-related health and safety costs. The payments are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) Grant program, which awarded Hispanic Federation a $44.3 million grant to distribute $600 one-time payments to farm and food workers in 17 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Florida, HF and its subgrantee partners have prioritized culturally and linguistically competent outreach to ensure Florida farmworkers apply to the program and receive these payments.
Despite anti-immigrant policies that have recently been implemented in the state of Florida, all farmworkers– regardless of immigration status – are eligible for this federal benefit if they have incurred pandemic-related health and safety costs and meet other eligibility requirements.
"Latinos who were at the front lines of the pandemic, including our farmworkers, experienced higher death, infection, and hospitalization rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing this reality, farmworkers showed up in fields, kept our families fed, and fueled our economy knowing their lives were at risk. Making them whole and leading an equitable recovery is the right thing to do, and the USDA’s Farm and Food Workers Grant Program is a step in that direction. We’re proud to partner with the USDA to ensure that farmworkers in Florida apply to this program and receive their one-time $600 payment. I want to thank Secretary Vilsack and President Biden for their commitment to providing relief and recognizing the essential work that farm and food workers carry out every day," said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation.
“Farmworkers kept our country running and our communities fed as our nation navigated the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. All farmworkers who spent their hard-earned money on health care and safety resources because of the pandemic should apply to this program. Your immigration status does not matter, and we do not require bank accounts to ensure that the underbanked and unbanked communities can still access this federal benefit. We thank the USDA and the Biden administration for entrusting us to implement this crucial program,” said Laine Rolong, National Director for Economic Mobility at Hispanic Federation.
"Florida's agricultural economy depends on farmworkers and their skilled labor. They harvest the fruits and vegetables for our community and fuel our economy, even as the country struggled to navigate a deadly pandemic. Hispanic Federation stands alongside all these farmworkers and the immigrant community, recognizing that this country's strength lies in the diversity and inclusivity they bring to this nation," said Laudi Campo, Hispanic Federation's Florida State Director.
The USDA’s FFWR Grant program is one of many initiatives that Hispanic Federation is leading in Florida to support vulnerable communities. Hispanic Federation and its partners provide legal services, health resources, education programming, economic support, and much more to Florida’s Latino and immigrant communities to fill in gaps that have been exacerbated by anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ+ policies that have recently been implemented in the state.
Hispanic Federation has provided more than half a million dollars to partners supporting this work to assist farmworkers with the application and distribution process. Subgrantees who are partnering with Hispanic Federation include, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Florida Federation of Hidalguenses Corporation, Hope Community Center, Inc, Latin Community Health Advisors, Marsoni Foundation Inc, and Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA).
The USDA’s FFWR Grant Program is administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, and HF and its partners will distribute the payments across 17 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Farmworkers interested in checking their eligibility for the $600 payment can find more information here. Workers can also contact FFWR@HispanicFederation.org or call Hispanic Federation at 1-866-HF-AYUDA.
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
