Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

July 12, 2011

Photos: Migrant workers in Minn. struggle with hunger

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Migrant workers travel hundreds of miles every summer to work in farm fields and processing plants of Montgomery, a small town in southern Minnesota. When they first arrive, many struggle to get enough to eat.

Bertha Trevino

1

Montgomery, MN, USA — Bertha Trevino, 41, of San Benito, TX arrived in Montgomery, Minn. in May with her husband and two children to join a community of migrant workers looking for summer employment at Seneca Foods Corporation. The family has been making the 28-hour drive to Montgomery for the past eight years, and both parents will be working 12-hour days, often 7 days a week. For the past two years they have rented the upper level of a house in downtown Montgomery. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Juan Calvillo

2

Montgomery, MN, USA — Juan Calvillo, of Mission, Texas, is a migrant worker in Montgomery, Minn. for the summer with his wife and four children. He and his wife work at Seneca Foods, while their children are enrolled in the local Head Start program. The family currently lives in the Monty Hotel, which is situated above a bar in downtown Montgomery. They have two rooms, one of which is used for sleeping, and the other is used for cooking and eating. No private bathroom is included. (MPR Photos/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Playing

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Montgomery, MN, USA — Jackie Calvillo, 9, and Alejandro Calvillo, 7, of Mission, Texas, children of migrant workers who come to Montgomery, Minnesota each summer to work at Seneca Foods, spend the afternoon playing at a local playground on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. While their parents work up to 12-hour days, the kids are enrolled in the local Head Start program. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Playing

4

Montgomery, MN, USA — Alejandro Calvillo, 7, and Jackie Calvillo, 9, of Mission, Texas, spend the afternoon playing at a local park with their father, Juan Calvillo, on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. The family of five are staying at the Monty Hotel in downtown Montgomery. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Martha Perez

5

Montgomery, MN, USA — Martha Perez, 38, of Del Rio, Texas, is a migrant worker who comes to Minnesota each summer seeking work. A mother to five children and a grandmother to one, Perez works 12-hour days at the local Seneca Food plant to support her family. In the past, Perez has lived in the trailers Seneca provides for migrant workers. Workers in the trailers have access to a community kitchen and community freezer space. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Martha Perez

6

Montgomery, MN, USA — Martha Perez seeks medical care at a mobile unit in Montgomery, Minn. run by Migrant Health Service, Inc. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Shopping

7

Montgomery, MN, USA — Alicia Gonzalez, 51, and Mario Gonzalez, 54, of Penitas, Texas, visit The Salvation Army Food Shelf in Montgomery, Minn. for groceries on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Parents to five kids in Texas, both work 12-hour days at Seneca during the summer months and send money back to their family. They have been coming to Montgomery since 1996 and make less than $20,000 a year. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Shopping

8

Montgomery, MN, USA — Alyssa Solis, 16, of Belton, Texas and Maria Torres, 52, of Belton, Texas visit The Salvation Army Food Shelf in Montgomery, Minn. on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Both women are migrant workers here to work at Seneca for the summer. (MPR Photos/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Shopping

9

Montgomery, MN, USA — Maricela Cuica, 25, from Texas, shops for groceries at The Salvation Army Food Shelf in Montgomery, Minn. on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Cuica is a migrant worker here to work for the summer. Seven months pregnant, she is here alone, with a car borrowed from family members. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

Closing the food shelf

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Montgomery, MN, USA — Workers close the Salvation Army Food Shelf for the day in Montgomery, Minn. on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. In 2010, migrant workers accounted for about one-fourth of the food shelf use. (MPR Photo/Caroline Yang) link to this photo

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