Seasonal migrant workers and food security

The project ‘Feeding the Nation’ examined the recruitment and experiences of seasonal agricultural migrant workers during the harvest seasons in 2020 and 2021—workers who were essential to ensuring food security in the UK throughout the pandemic.

This research had an impact through various outputs, including a guide to working in the UK for seasonal workers (visa holders with granted pre-settled status), a series of online art exhibitions, and a report on the impact of labour shortages on UK food availability and safety published by the Food Standards Agency.

In addition, Drs Barbulescu and Robertson authored a report for the Low Pay Commission on Accommodation Offset, National Minimum Wage and Seasonal Migrant Workers.

Impact

• Civic engagement: informed national food security and employment policies
• Societal impact: provides hopeful solutions to humanity's greatest challenges directly from the researchers on the front line
• Public engagement: brings together experts to share insights and knowledge with the public.

Key information

• Major funders: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Partners and collaborators: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), New European, The Museum of English Rural Life, Food Standards Agency
• Disciplines: sociology and social policy, migration, food security, art
• Investigators: Dr Roxana Barbulescu, Dr Bethany Robertson.

Keywords: migration, citizenship and belonging, race and ethnicity, food studies, COVID-19, UK food availability and safety, public engagement, collaboration