Marylanders for Food and Farm Worker Protection (MFFWP) Honors Somerset County Health Department Migrant Health Program with Inaugural Excellence in Worker Health Award

December 15, 2022 – For Immediate Release:

In light of the inequity in healthcare access faced by workers that was both exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Marylanders for Food and Farm Worker Protection (MFFWP) has committed to honoring organizations and programs whose often tireless work addresses those inequities. MFFWP will award such organizations seasonally and has selected the Somerset Health Department Migrant Health Program as their inaugural recipient of the Excellence in Worker Health Award.

The Excellence in Worker Health Award honors organizations and institutions whose work reflects a focused, sustained commitment to protecting food system workers’ health and well-being

The Somerset County Health Department Migrant Health Program merits recognition because of the department’s history of commitment to meeting the health needs of seasonal agricultural workers, particularly those living in migrant camps. Staff attend to the medical needs of workers on site given limited transportation options for workers, and, during the pandemic, engaged the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps to meet the language needs of workers. The Somerset County Health Department has also been instrumental in advocating for improved living conditions for migrant workers over the years. They also welcome community partner support and feedback, as demonstrated by a recent event held in August at a migrant camp that brought health department resources like vaccinations as well as other immigrant service providers together to facilitate worker’s direct access to resources. 

Marylanders for Food and Farm Worker Protection commends Somerset County Health Department for its continued efforts to support farmworker health and, thanks to the generosity of MOM’s Organic Market, will present the Somerset County Health Department with a gift basket and certificate as small tokens of appreciation for their collaboration and commitment to furthering the rights and wellbeing of food and farm workers. 

MFFWP will present the Excellence in Worker Health Award at 12:45 PM on Saturday, December 17 at the Wicomico Stadium (350 Civic Ave, Salisbury, MD) prior to the Lower Shore Vulnerable Population Task Force’s One Stop Shop (1 PM – 3 PM). See the award.

Point of Contact:
Katie Miller, katie@cdmigrante.org

For more information, contact us.