Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Blog

California Shines Light on the Asian American and Pacific Islander Farming Community

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials provide attendees at the National Hmong American Farmers Conference with information about federal programs in Fresno, Calif., April 30, 2015. (Photo by ChuKou Thao)

It began with a simple idea to raise awareness about the unmet nutritional needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and the economic challenges of AAPI farmers. In 2014, the Asian Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance (APIOPA) submitted a proposal to bring vital AAPI agricultural issues to light, as part of the White House Initiative on AAPIs’ Proposal Challenge. The Initiative selected APIOPA for its vision to encourage community groups and federal agencies to address food insecurity and economic development within the AAPI community by bringing fresh and healthy produce through Community-Supported Agriculture (CSAs). They continue to work diligently to promote and establish CSAs, a model allowing farmers to sell their produce directly from small AAPI farms to local consumers.

As part of this effort to bring information of federal programs to AAPI farmers, the Initiative has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve access to USDA funding programs and grants. This strategy targets the economic stressors that many farmers face, providing targeted assistance for farmers to help expand their business. On April 30, the Initiative and USDA, along with state and federal agencies, met with over 200 farmers for the National Hmong American Farmers Conference in Fresno, California. Farmers at the conference engaged in direct dialog with government officials and gave testimonies that showcased their triumphs. The event fostered the sharing of diverse ideas and strengthening of cultural unity. The Initiative’s Regional Network’s partners from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Small Business Association, and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, along with state agencies from the Farm Service Agency and Food and Nutrition Service, came to help educate and provide assistance to attendees. The University of California Cooperative Extension also shared delicious and culturally diverse recipes and nutritional information through their SNAP-Ed program.

Speaking Up for Vulnerable AAPI Workers

Ed. note: This is cross-posted on the U.S. Department of Labor's blog. See the original post here.

Every May we celebrate the contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in building a better, stronger, more vibrant America. As the fastest growing ethnic population in the U.S., AAPIs are also playing an important role in the nation’s economy — from Filipino health care workers to Korean grocers to South Asian taxi drivers to Vietnamese nail salon workers. Unfortunately, many AAPI workers are also some of our most vulnerable workers.

A Gallup poll highlighted a troubling statistic — that nearly 30 percent of AAPI workers have reported being victims of employment discrimination. Recognizing that AAPI workers face exploitation, but are among the least likely to assist government assistance, the White House initiative on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders — WHIAAPI — along with an interagency working group launched the Vulnerable Worker Project to seek out and hear directly from AAPI workers about the challenges they face in the workplace.

Federal officials − including the Labor Department’s Patricia Shiu (second from left), assistant secretary for federal contract compliance programs, and Phil Tom (fourth from left), director of the Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships − participate in a listening session with AAPI workers held in Carson City, California, on Jan. 22, 2015.