Key Takeaways:
- Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya says immigration is essential for the U.S. food system.
- Recent immigration raids are disrupting farms and food factories.
- Workers are afraid to leave home, causing labor shortages.
- Food prices may rise if the issue isn’t solved.
- Industry leaders are pushing for immigration reform.
The U.S. food system is in trouble. Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya recently warned that strict immigration policies are putting the country’s food supply at risk. Speaking at a food conference in Chicago, Ulukaya said, “We need immigration, and we need workers for our food system to work.”
Immigrant Workers Are Crucial to the Food Industry
Immigrant workers play a huge role in keeping the U.S. food system running. Many farms and food factories rely on them to pick crops, milk cows, and process food. Without these workers, the system could collapse.
For example, about two-thirds of crop farm workers in the U.S. are foreign-born. On Wisconsin dairy farms, 70% of workers don’t have legal status. If these workers leave or are deported, farms can’t operate as usual.
Recent Raids Are Scaring Workers
In recent weeks, immigration raids have targeted farms, dairies, and even a meat plant in Nebraska. These raids have caused chaos. Workers are so afraid that many are Too scared to go to work or even leave their homes. This fear is creating a labor shortage.
Employers are worried. If workers don’t show up, farms can’t harvest crops, dairies can’t milk cows, and food factories can’t meet demand. This could lead to less food being available and higher prices for consumers.
Food Prices May Go Up
If the labor shortage continues, food prices could rise. Companies like Hormel Foods and Chobani are already warning about the risks. Hormel CEO Jim Snee said, “You’ll have an impact across all industries if we don’t find a solution.”
A Call for Immigration Reform
Industry leaders are urging the government to fix the immigration system. They want a solution that allows immigrant workers to stay and work legally.
Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said, “Without farmworkers, vegetables will rot in the fields, and cows won’t get milked. Families will pay more for groceries.”
What’s Next?
The Department of Homeland Security recently said it would pause raids at farms, restaurants, and hotels. But later, they backtracked, saying these places are still targets. This confusion is making the problem worse.
Industry leaders are calling on Congress to create a permanent immigration solution. Without one, the U.S. food system could face long-term damage.
In the end, the message is clear: Immigrants are vital to the U.S. food system, and without them, everyone suffers.