News Release
Fruit and vegetable growers working to keep farm workers safe
Guelph ON, July 10, 2020 – Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farmers are devastated by the recent deaths of three Ontario farm workers from COVID-19 and are very concerned about the recent outbreaks that have affected Ontario’s farms, dedicated employees and the sector’s ability to produce food for Ontarians.
Seasonal farm workers play an essential role on Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farms. The federal government created the seasonal agricultural worker program (SAWP) in 1966 and many farmers have been welcoming the same international workers for years (even generations). Farmers care about the health and well-being of farm workers and are committed to doing everything possible to protect their health and safety.