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Summer in Florida doesn’t just bring longer days and warmer evenings. For the thousands of farmworkers who harvest the food on our tables, summer means something far more serious: relentless heat, dangerous humidity, and working conditions that most of us will never experience firsthand.
May 29 was National Heat Awareness Day, a national observance designed to highlight the dangers of extreme heat and the urgency of protecting outdoor workers. But at Beth-El, we believe every single day deserves that awareness. The farmworkers in our community don’t get a day off from the heat. Neither should our commitment to them.
️ Farmworkers are 35 times more likely to die from heat-related illness than workers in other industries. — CDC / OSHA
Why This Matters, Every Day
Farmworkers are among the most essential, and most vulnerable, members of our workforce. They wake before dawn, labor through midday sun, and return home exhausted. Their work feeds our families, yet they are among the least protected workers in the country.
Extreme heat is not just discomfort. It is a life-threatening condition. Heat exhaustion can spiral into heat stroke within minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if emergency treatment is not given in time.
As part of our 2026 focus on farmworker health at Beth-El, we want to pause, not just once a year on a national observance day, but consistently, to learn and better understand what extreme heat means for the people who harvest our food.
What Farmworkers Face in the Summer Heat
The guidance from OSHA and the CDC paints a clear picture of what outdoor workers need to survive extreme heat, and what too many farmworkers still go without:
- Access to cool, shaded rest areas during breaks
- Frequent rest periods to cool down, drink water, and eat
- Cool-down areas maintained below 82°F
- Ample access to clean, potable water throughout the day
- Reminders and resources to wear wide-brimmed hats and light clothing
- Training on recognizing heat illness, first aid, and emergency response
- Schedules adjusted to reduce heat exposure during peak hours
- An acclimatization period for new workers adjusting to hot conditions
Knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be lifesaving. Heat exhaustion presents as dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea, and weakness, and must be treated immediately by moving to a cooler area, loosening clothing, and sipping cool water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency: confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness require calling 911 right away.
How You Can Help This Summer
At Beth-El, we serve farmworking families year-round — and summer is one of the most critical times to show up for our neighbors. Here is what our community needs most right now:
Most-Needed Donations for Farmworkers This Summer:
- Reusable water bottles and large water jugs
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
- Wide-brimmed hats and lightweight, light-colored clothing
- Electrolyte packets and sports drinks
- Cooling towels and fans
- Non-perishable, easy-to-carry snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)
- Hygiene kits and personal care items
- Gift cards for grocery stores or pharmacies
Beth-El’s Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Our team also makes weekly farm visits on Thursdays to bring non-perishable food, paper goods, hygiene kits, and clothing directly to farmworkers where they are. Your donations make those visits possible.
Every Day Is Awareness Day
National Heat Awareness Day on May 29 is a meaningful reminder, but farmworkers need more than one day of visibility. They need consistent support, consistent advocacy, and a community that shows up for them 365 days a year.
This summer, let’s make a commitment together: to learn more, give more, and care more for the families who work so hard to feed us. Whether you donate supplies, give financially, or simply spread the word, every act of generosity makes a difference.
Ready to help? Learn more and donate at farmworkersbethel.site
Car Credit Supports Beth-El Farmworker Ministry
For many farmworker families, meeting basic needs remains a daily challenge. Beth-El Farmworker Ministry provides vital support by offering hunger relief, education, healthcare, and spiritual growth to farmworking families and neighbors in need. Through compassion and care, Beth-El continues its mission of nourishing the mind, spirit, and body of those it serves.
Nuevo en US (www.nuevoenus.org) and Car Credit (www.carcredittampa.com) are proud to support Beth-El, an organization dedicated to assisting farmworker families. For those who are new to the country, adjusting to a new life can be challenging. Thanks to Car Credit’s commitment to Spanish-speaking communities and the support of its owner, Steve Cuculich, we work together to ensure these families receive the guidance and support they need to move forward.