NKC recently began working with Migrant Legal Aid to distribute healthy, fresh food to agricultural workers and their families in northern Kent County.
As part of the new Healthy Food Access for Migrant Farmworker Families (HFAMF) program, launched in May 2022 and funded by a grant from the Amway Corporation, NKC will visit 24 migrant housing sites in Sparta to provide distributions of nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables to 690 farmworkers and their children starting in August and continuing into October. NKC will purchase culturally appropriate dry goods and fresh produce, then package and deliver the food to the migrant housing sites along with MLA outreach workers.
“We believe it is imperative to increase access to fresh, healthy food among one of our most vulnerable populations in Kent County,” said Claire Guisfredi, executive director for North Kent Connect. “As the resource hub in rural Kent County, we are familiar with the needs of these families and eager to help in any way we can.”
Many migrant families live below the poverty line ($20,000 to $24,999 annually on average) making it difficult to afford healthy foods and resulting in diet-related illnesses. The federal poverty threshold for a family of four is $26,500, according to the 2021 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines. The HFAMF program aims to improve the health and well-being of seasonal and migrant farmworkers living in Kent County by providing consistent access to healthy food and nutrition education materials.
“Migrant Legal Aid is honored to provide North Kent Connect with trusted access to our vigilantly guarded farmworker community,” said Teresa Hendricks, executive director for Migrant Legal Aid. “The culturally appropriate, healthy food, and nutrition education will help support migrant farmworkers’ basic needs and family nutrition.”
There are approximately 70 migrant housing sites in Kent County, with a total capacity of 2,425 people. NKC distributions will focus on the Sparta sites. That means a LOT of packing, so we’d like to thank our wonderful volunteers! Scroll further to see some pics from the first of many adventures with this new program.
There are approximately 70 migrant housing sites in Kent County, with a total capacity of 2,425 people. NKC distributions will focus on the Sparta sites. That means a LOT of packing, so we’d like to thank our wonderful volunteers! Scroll further to see some pics from the first of many adventures with this new program.
Beverly, Belen (just her hand), and Dave packing up the van to deliver fresh food to the migrant housing units.
Belen headed for one of the migrant housing units in Sparta.
Volunteers Kathy Marten, Barbara Manne, Janie Hoving packing bags of spices, and dried goods for the bags.
