Farmworkers and seafood processors are the backbone of Maine’s food industries. They plant, nurture, harvest and process the food that we eat. They perform physically and emotionally exhausting work under difficult conditions. Most live below the poverty line and face cultural and language barriers to services and resources. Workers who come to Maine face many challenges to accessing health care despite their significant contribution to our economy and to the health of us all.

In the face of these challenges and barriers, farmworkers are resilient. They contribute to our lives and health not only through the work of harvesting our fruits and vegetables, but also through their presence in our communities. At MMHP our goals include making farmworkers feel welcome in Maine for as long as they are here, supporting them in addressing their healthcare needs, and working to change the healthcare system that often ignores and excludes farmworkers and other seasonal workers.