HISPANIC FEDERATION, PARTNERS DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN $8.2 MILLION TO NEAR 14,000 NORTH CAROLINA FARMWORKERS AND MEATPACKERS THROUGH USDA RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM
For Immediate Release: March 27, 2024
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
NORTH CAROLINA — Hispanic Federation (HF) announced that they have distributed more than $8.2 million to nearly 14,000 farmworkers and meatpackers, working in North Carolina since March 2023. 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 2023. In North Carolina, HF and its subgrantee partners have prioritized culturally and linguistically competent outreach to ensure statewide farmworkers apply to the program and receive these payments.
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. The program is set to expire before the end of 2024.
“Even today, in the aftermath of the global pandemic, farmworkers are dealing with the aftermath of higher death, infection, and hospitalization rates caused by exposure to COVID-19. During the pandemic, farmworkers put their lives on the line to work in the fields, maintain our food supply, and keep the U.S. economy afloat. Especially during Farmworker Awareness Week, we want to highlight this important program of providing farmworkers with financial assistance for their service. HF is proud to partner with the USDA to ensure that eligible farmworkers in North Carolina continue to apply and receive this 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.
“Latinos and farmworkers are a vital component to a thriving North Carolina. During the pandemic, their work helped to keep our economy working. As a country, we must acknowledge the price farm workers pay daily so that we can have food on our tables. I’ve met elderly farmworkers who split the dosage of their medicine because they don't have healthcare coverage, and women in the fields who must choose between paying for transportation or protective work equipment. This initiative supports workers' needs and bolsters the local economy at the same time. When recipients utilize these grants, they directly contribute to the prosperity of small neighborhood businesses, and various local enterprises, and we need more programs like this that fortify local economies. We thank the USDA for entrusting us to implement this crucial program,” said Laine Rolong, National Director for Economic Mobility at Hispanic Federation.
"North Carolina's agricultural economy depends on the dedication of farmworkers and their skilled labor. They harvest the meats, fruits, and vegetables for our community and fuel our economy, even as the country struggled to navigate a deadly pandemic and its aftermath. 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 Lariza Garzón, Hispanic Federation's Director of NC and Midsouth Operations.
The USDA’s FFWR Grant program is one of many initiatives that Hispanic Federation is leading in North Carolina to support vulnerable communities. Hispanic Federation and its partners provide legal services, health resources, education programming, economic support, and much more to North Carolina’s Latine 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 in North Carolina. Subgrantees who are partnering with Hispanic Federation include, Asociacion de Mexicanos en Carolina del Norte, Casa Azul de Wilson, Centro Unido Latinoamericano, Community Technical Assistance, El Centro Hispano, El Pueblo Inc., Jones County Community Hope, Inc., Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development, TFBU, Trueridge, and Western NC Workers Center. Application assistance for the grant is free and Hispanic Federation is encouraging farmworkers to apply with only official USDA FFWR partners to avoid any potential fraud or scams.
The USDA’s FFWR Grant Program is administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Farmworkers interested in checking their eligibility for the $600 payment can find out more information in English and Spanish by visiting https://ffwr.hispanicfederation.org. Workers can also contact FFWR@HispanicFederation.org or call Hispanic Federation at 1-866-HF-AYUDA. Hispanic Federation is proud to be an official partner of National Farmworker Awareness Week.
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
About Hispanic Federation:
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
