Fruit of One’s Labor

A digital portrait of my dad at the forefront. A vast agricultural field in the background with workers tilling the land. A mountain range is seen in the end of the background.

With many members of my family and community living with or dying prematurely as a result of diabetes. I created this project with the intention of highlighting farmworkers and agricultural communities who experience food insecurity while living amongst agricultural fields.

A red storefront labeled Toño's Market with a concrete sidewalk in front of it. Two grey doors are under the Market sign to the left side of the image. Next to the door is a healthy foods advertisement. Next are four large glass windows all posted with various alcoholic, cigarette, and soda advertisements. Above the widows are the words carniceria, Spanish word for meat market, alcohol, and cigarettes. On the most right side, next to the windows, is a mural of the Virgin de Guadalupe on the wall.
Storefront, 2019

Growing up I thought having a high amount of liquor stores in my neighborhood was the norm. My neighborhood had storefronts filled with advertisements highlighting cigarettes, alcohol, and sugary drinks. My dad— whose portrait I showcase below Melo, 2019—started working in the fields of California in his early teens. He continued to work in onion, tomato, and grape fields all throughout California’s Central Valley. He was surrounded by fresh produce yet he did not have access to the fruits of his labor. After years of living in food deserts he now lives with diabetes and other health complications yet this is not an anomaly. His story is similar to countless others. 

A digital portrait of my dad at the forefront. A vast agricultural field in the background with workers tilling the land. A mountain range is seen in the end of the background.
Melo, 2019