Crop freeze prompts Schwarzenegger
to open unemployment assistance centers

By Elizabeth Daley, Bay City News Service

January 22, 2007

Governor Schwarzenegger announced Thursday the opening of one-stop centers to assist farm workers who may have recently become unemployed as a result of California's recent crop freeze.

The freeze, which may have decimated close to $1 billion worth of crops, was initially thought to have only impacted citrus growers. However, it appears the freeze has impacted a variety of crops including "avocados, leafy greens, celery, strawberries, and nursery plants. This is a staggering and devastating loss," said California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who wrote a letter Wednesday asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to grant Schwarzenegger's request for government assistance.

In her letter, Feinstein stated that the USDA estimates only 25 percent of this year's citrus and avocado crop had been picked before cold temperatures set in.

This is significant to Californians and the nation "because 95 percent of the nation's fresh citrus comes from California," said Feinstein.

"We must help those who have been affected by the freeze," said Schwarzenegger, who declared a state of emergency after witnessing the destructive frost firsthand at Fresno groves on Jan. 16.

Schwarzenegger announced the opening of centers to provide food and job assistance, healthcare information, warming center locations and other essential information to unemployed workers.

"These centers will bring all the state's services into one place so the people who need immediate help can get assistance as soon as possible," said Schwarzenegger.

Located throughout the ten counties, with one center in Salinas at 730 LaGuardia Street, centers will be open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as long as they are needed.

Six mobile office units will conduct outreach to more remote regions in the counties, with assistance from La Cooperativa and other non-profits that work closely with farm workers, according to the Governor's Office.

The mobile units will travel to different sites to help workers fill out required unemployment paperwork, and help with job placement, in addition to providing other types of assistance.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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