Side by Side: The People Behind the Produce

In Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” the mushrooms that appear on dinner tables across the country begin with the work of farmworkers.

The region produces more than 500 million pounds of mushrooms each year and accounts for roughly half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. Behind this massive agricultural industry are farmworkers, many of whom are employed through the H-2A visa program and face unique legal challenges related to their work, housing, and immigration status.

Through the Pennsylvania Farmworker Project, PLA works to ensure that these workers know their rights and can access legal support when those rights are violated. 

PLA advocates help farmworkers address wage theft, unjust termination, unsafe working conditions, substandard housing, and workplace discrimination or harassment. By conducting outreach in communities like Kennett Square and across Chester County, PLA is extending its community reach beyond Philadelphia and supporting workers whose labor feeds families across the country. This work helps ensure that the food on our tables is harvested by people who have access to the legal resources and support they need to experience fair treatment, dignity, and safety on the job.