WATSONVILLE, CA - Humans are highly-visual creatures in an increasingly tech-driven world, meaning we must pivot the way we carry our messages while staying true to the authentic vision behind a given narrative. As storytellers, our industry continues to find more ways to reach the trade through new mediums as is berry-innovator Driscoll’s. The company is highlighting its award-winning documentary, The Last Harvest, this month and addressing today's labor shortage and immigration reform.
“The Last Harvest is just one small part of our journey to demonstrate our commitment to enrich the lives of everyone we touch across our farming communities,” said Soren Bjorn, President of the Americas. “As one of the few brands in a typically commodity-driven agriculture industry, we have the unique opportunity to advance topics, themes, and challenges that are otherwise invisible to most consumers. In many cases, strategic collaborations across public and private sectors are needed to improve these larger industry challenges. We support solving systemic issues at a legislative and policy level and continue to be active in timely discussions.”
This feature, set to screen at PMA Fresh Summit as part of the expo’s first Experience Extension with Films, engages the dialogue around labor shortage and immigration reform through a grassroots strategy of community-led forums and discussions. Those attendees as curious as I am, can join an in-depth discussion on Thursday, October 17th at 9 AM in Room 213B, Level 3, ACC with a panel that will include Driscoll’s Bjorn.
Produced in partnership with the award-winning storytelling studio Farm League, The Last Harvest offers the chance for viewers to hear the hopes, hardships, and a sense of life-purpose in harvesting good berries from three independent family growers, according to a press release. While the documentary explores the issues around some of the most impactful issues in ag today, it also takes the opportunity to propose possible solutions to overcoming these challenges.
Driscoll’s CEO and Chairman J. Miles Reiter also addresses the company’s vision in this film, while helping to shed light on the challenges that affect today’s farmers and operational leaders—things that the company feels are largely unknown to the average consumer.
In addition, this month, the company announced joining the Corporate Roundtable for the New American Workforce. Through the National Immigration Forum, the program aims to provide resources designed for immigrant workers.
“As a company whose network represents over 50 percent of foreign-born workers, it is our responsibility to stand in solidarity with immigrants that contribute so much to our company’s success,” said Bjorn. “We join other companies and industries in the Corporate Roundtable to collaborate on ways to best welcome and support a diverse workforce into our country.”
To learn more about the film and its mission and vision, a dedicated website is available at www.thelastharvestfilm.com.
It is just about time to lower the lights, turn your cell phones to silent, and let the film speak for itself.
