More and more health-conscious individuals are carefully examining the source of the food consumed by their family. However, even the most conscientious consumer is not fully aware of the exhaustive efforts and struggles to get a juicy, ripe strawberry or that plump tomato in the dead of winter, even in Florida. These foods are harvested and harvested primarily by seasonal and migrant agricultural workers. Migrant workers come, largely, from Mexico and the Caribbean, and their families often travel with them. Migrant farm workers must endure harsh conditions so Americans can have the beautiful selection of berries, tomatoes and other fresh foods often found at places like the farmers market or a traditional supermarket. Seasonal and migrant agricultural workers suffer from a variety of health problems due to their constant exposure to stress, weather and chemicals such as pesticides. They are paid minimum wages and are expected to work long hours of strenuous labor for pennies a piece or hour. Migrant families are expected to live in sub-standard accommodation and be transported to various workplaces in unsafe transport. Fresh fruit and vegetables that consumers buy with little care reach supermarkets at a cost that is not reflected in the retail price. This cost is ultimately absorbed by agricultural workers in Florida and other areas of the country, who are among the poorest American workers. The migrant worker community in states like Florida, Texas, and California is often a “dark population” of the state. They live in isolated communities and have very little stability or permanence. According to the Florida Department of Health, between 150,000 and 200,000 migrant workers work in the state of Florida... in the middle of paper... and in unsafe conditions. The challenges migrant farm workers face are the toughest of any industry, yet they are faithful to their craft. They always ensure that the harvested product meets the expectations of the American consumer. Works Cited (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2014, from FloridaHealth.gov: http://www.floridahealth.gov/healthy-environments/migrant-farmworker-housing/index.html(nd). Retrieved April 26, 2014, from EPA.gov: http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/twor.html(nd). Retrieved April 25, 2014, from National Department of Farm Workers: http://nfwm.org/education-center/farm-worker-issues/low-wages/(nd). Retrieved April 25, 2014, from Southern Poverty Law Center: http://www.splcenter.org/sexual-violence-against-farmworkers-a-guidebook-for-criminal-justice-professionals/who-are-farmworkeChiswick, B.R. ( 2006 , June 3). The worker next door. New York Times.