Making a Difference: Labor of Love Program

In Wednesday’s, Making a Difference, we are highlighting the “Labor of Love” program created by the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association.

In 2015, YFVA started the “Labor of Love” campaign. The program is made up of growers and other people in the AG industry and was designed to recognize farm workers for all of their hard work in the fields. The Labor of Love program will go out and do random acts of kindness for agriculture workers like bringing them breakfast in the early mornings or give the workers gift cards as a token of appreciation. Currently the program is taking place in Salinas, California and will return to Yuma in the fall and winter months. The program has also made national attention by making it into “Eating Well Magazine.”

“It is not possible for the agriculture industry to do what they do without the farm workers and all of the different people involved in getting the produce from seed to table or to the grocery store or to wherever it’s going,” said Kristan Sheppeard with Limelight Creative Group.

Another neat feature of the YFVA is their Farm Fresh Forks cookbook program. It’s an opportunity for locals and those visiting to try fresh homegrown veggies straight from the farm to the table. Something important for the Yuma Ag industry in that it’s a way for them to directly reach consumers. It takes place from January to April. River City Grill, The Patio and 2fifty1 Downtown Twisted Kitchen are just some of the restaurants involved in the vegetable tasting experience. For more information visit, https://www.farmfreshforks.com