The Real Cost of Blueberries

Saturday my wife Linda and I went blueberry picking.  With two of our friends, we picked twenty-five pounds.  It took us about two hours.  Not exactly a fast clip!  On average, we each picked about 3.125 pounds per hour.  The place we went picking had live music, a snack bar, games for the kids, even a small gift shop.  It was a lovely experience, and I'll get blueberries on my cereal for several months.

The whole experience, though, prompted me to remember that two of my kids picked blueberries for pay one summer many years back.  Neither of them were very quick about
it, and being paid at a piece rate, neither of them made much money.  It was hot work, and less than pleasant.  There were no kids rides or musicians,  Just the work.  They only lasted one summer at it, as I remember, and both found other ways to earn pocket money as they made their way through school.  And nobody was counting on them bringing home a paycheck to pay the bills.

I couldn't help but wonder what migrant workers get paid for such work?  Our niece, who went with us to pick, tutors the children of migrants.  She told us they are in her part of Florida for about three months, and then they move on.  And often the kids have to try and play catch up academically, often never quite reaching their goals.  Their parents work very long , very hard hours.  Often for very poor pay.  Living in overpriced quarters--no better than shacks--and having very little security.

Back in 2013, in Michigan, migrant workers were paid 42 cents a pound for picking blueberries.  That meant they need to pick eighteen pounds an hour to make what was then minimum wage in Michigan.  I assume it would be much the same in Florida.  (www.michiganradio.org)  One person would need to pick 33% more blueberries in an hour than the four of us did working together.

I will enjoy the berries on my cereal over the next few months, but I will also be doing a lot of thinking about how often I have something to eat without knowing what all has gone into putting it on my table.  And how often my bounty may be at the expense of someone else.