Summer Migrant Health Festival

The Farmworker Summer Festival is the social event for the season. In conjunction with Mexican Consulate and scores of community-based organizations and agencies, SJFMC hosts a health education health fair for farm workers and their families.

Health education activities and screens are conducted throughout the day. Ethnic dancing is encouraged and allows family members to dress in the native clothing dance to entertain other workers and visitors. A soccer tournament is played throughout the day.

The 2005 Farmworker Festival was a huge success at the Hammonton Middle School, staffed by 140 volunteers and participating organization staff. Donations included water, food, popsicles, bounce machines, food and health education materials. The thrill of the day was the raffling of 100 reconditioned bicycles and helmets. Can goods, toiletries, and games were also donated. The proceeds of the bicycle raffle went to the Farmworker Emergency Fund.

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) SEARCH program participants conducted blood pressures screens and blood sugars tests all day. A back pain clinic was held on site.

There were 34 farm camps represented. Over 900 farm workers and family members from Atlantic, Burlington, Camden and Cumberland Counties enjoyed the day’s events.

The organization of the event went very well. There were 26 soccer teams who played (34 registered), and over 800 plates of food. Although only 667 people were registered, it is estimated that there were around 900 in attendance accounting for the volunteers, soccer players who ate late without registering and those who arrived at the end. There were 103 Health Assessments, 93 blood pressures and 17 blood sugars taken. The raffle raised $210.00 for the Farmworker Emergency Fund.