Washington apple farms can sometimes be very depressing places. When you see how and where a lot of these farm laborers live, it can be pretty depressing. The orchard owners will often pack them in there as tight as possible, in conditions that most Americans would find deplorable. Some of them have public bathrooms that are shared among many units.
It’s a matter of opinion, but I see the Washington Apple industry using cheap labor. Sometimes these people are not US citizens, and do not speak English. One Apple grower, Broetje Orchards, was hit with a $2.25 million dollar fine for hiring illegal immigrants.
In 2007, the Department of Homeland Security estimated 260,000 illegal immigrants living in Washington State. This makes our state the 10th largest center for illegal immigration in the US. While not all agricultural laborers are illegal immigrants, the State decided that illegal immigration was a big enough problem that they did a study on how much it costs our state. It’s important to remember that many people are here legally, and they are working hard for the Apple Industry. It just doesn’t appear that they are being justly paid. See below for pictures of where some of them live.
Washington Apples are made with cheap labor and harsh pesticides. Is this a product you want to support? Not me.
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic however you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks