The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has awarded $7 million to Sacramento-based nonprofit La Cooperativa Campesina de California, to support farmworkers who have been laid off, notably, from leading stone fruit grower Prima Wawona. After filing for bankruptcy last October, Prima Wawona is shutting down operations, leaving around 10,400 direct hires and contractors without employment. Over 5,400 workers were sent a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) in January, indicating impending mass layoffs.

La Cooperativa, aimed at empowering farmworkers towards financial prosperity and self-sufficiency, intends to utilize this grant in providing outreach, employment and training services to those affected at Prima Wawona, as well as other agricultural workers laid off across the state. The $7 million funding is part of discretionary funds made available to Governor Gavin Newsom under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and administered by the EDD and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

EDD Director Nancy Farias emphasized on California being home to one of the largest farmworker populations in the U.S., with this demographic often facing many issues in job hunting once unemployed. Thus, providing the necessary support and training to these workers is not just beneficial to the workers, but also an investment in local economies. The services provided will include client-centered assessments, remedial education, vocational skills training, hands-on training, pre-apprenticeship training, work experience, career pathway counseling and assistance to overcome employment barriers such as food, housing, clothing, and transportation.

For more information about the resources available for these laid-off farmworkers, you can reach out to the Employment Development Department in California. If you’re wondering how to contact EDD, there are several options. You can visit their website, edd.ca.gov, or call their toll-free numbers, listed on their contact page. Website eddcaller.com is also available to help arrange calls and provide additional services for individuals who want to get in touch. Their services aim to simplify the process and decrease hold times, making it easier for people to receive the assistance they need.