Immigrants represent 36% of restaurant owners and over 20% of the sector’s workforce, but outdated policies force many to live and work in the shadows. To tackle what has become a dire situation, the James Beard Foundation has joined forces with the American Business Immigration Coalition and a coalition of America’s top restaurants, hotel groups, vineyards, and farms to launch Seat the Table, a campaign addressing the industry’s labor shortage by prioritizing congressional action to provide work permits for immigrant food workers. That action will help stabilize food service, prices, and availability for all Americans, according to a release from Seat the Table.
The coalition is urging members of the restaurant community to raise their voices in support of the work permits; make your voice hear by adding your name here.
To become a lead signatory and have your organization lead the charge for work permits, share your information here.
Click here to go to the next article, New Cookbook Celebrates Border Cuisine