Whether you know it or not, you encounter a food system worker and their hard work multiple times a day. They keep our favorite places running and witness our lives up close. From farm workers to restaurant cooks and servers – the variety of food system jobs is vast and essential, each role playing a crucial part in feeding our communities and supporting the economy.
However, according to The San Diego County Food Vision 2030, wages have remained stagnant for food system workers for the past four decades. Data reveals the earnings of the bottom 90% of U.S. wage earners grew by only 24% these last 40 years – while the top 1% of wage earners saw a 158% increase. The top .1% saw an even bigger increase.
All Work, Little Pay
Wage inequality and stagnation significantly impacts women and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities – including immigrant communities.
Immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are essential to our food system. In California alone, 42.5% of immigrants work in the food system. The San Diego County Food Vision 2030 reports that 42.5% of immigrants work in the food system.
What can change? Raising wages, improving work conditions and creating better career paths are just a few ways we can support these essential employees whose labor feeds our communities.
MAKE-ing a Change
One San Diego organization bridging the gap is MAKE Projects – a 2023 San Diego Foundation Community Food Grant Program recipient. By operating their urban farm, restaurant and events/catering company, MAKE Projects’ mission is to provide its trainees with job readiness skills to help them achieve their dreams.
An employment social enterprise, its restaurant serves as a job training ground for refugee women and youth.
“This restaurant is basically a very fun [English as a Second Language] classroom for adult learners to practice English conversation and to gain confidence speaking for our youth,” said Anchi Mei, MAKE Projects’ Executive Director. “It’s a way to practice social skills and soft skills that they’ll need in their future jobs.”
Nimo Ali, an adult graduate of the MAKE Projects program, feels the difference this program made in her life.
“I am very happy,” she said. “Before I didn’t know English better, but now I do – because I am stronger now.”
MAKE Projects’ cuisine is globally inspired by their clients’ diverse backgrounds –featuring produce from their farm and other local producers, all while fostering an inclusive San Diego and driving the food economy.
“I think that refugee women provide an amazing possibility to meet the needs of many industries that are really hurting and looking for a really dedicated workforce that can become leaders in these sectors,” Mei said. “I see this as meeting an economic problem, for San Diego, as well as an economic problem for the families we’re serving.”
The MAKE Projects restaurant is open in North Park, Wednesday through Sunday, for brunch.
About the Community Food Grant Program
The Community Food Grant Program was funded through a partnership with the County of San Diego. In 2021, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the framework for the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding, including the framework for the program.
The Community Food Grant Program contributes to building resilient communities, a pillar of the SDF Strategic Plan, by addressing equity barriers and creating a more inclusive and accessible food system for all.
Photo Credit: MAKE Projects
