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ORLANDO, Fla. — The Equitable Food Initiative hopes that its “Responsibly Grown Farmworker Assured” label will elevate the status of those suppliers in the eyes of the produce buying community.

Securing adequate labor has been a challenge throughout the California produce industry in recent years, and the labor market tends to get even tighter during the summer.

A partial government shutdown that began Dec. 22 could stretch deep into January and could mean delays and trouble for the H-2A agricultural guest worker program used by produce growers.

Seeking to stop higher 2019 wage rates for the H-2A guest worker program, the National Council of Agricultural Employers has filed a court action against the Department of Labor.

Cathy Burns encouraged suppliers, importers and buyers at the 50th Nogales Produce Convention to take a close look at the Produce Industry Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices and consider endorsing it.

Starting Jan. 1, the Wonderful Company, Los Angeles, Calif., said it will raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour for full-time California employees.

Hundreds of mushroom industry growers, business leaders and researchers will gather in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 14-16 for the 25th North American Mushroom Conference.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has added information on how to apply for H-2A visas on the farmers.gov website.

U.S. growers are losing experienced workers, and immigration and border control policies are leading to chronic labor shortages, Western Growers CEO and President Tom Nassif told members of Congress.

Berry supplier Driscoll’s, Watsonville, Calif., has been recognized for its comprehensive approach to labor compliance.