Documenting Vulnerability: Food Insecurity Among Indigenous Mexican Migrants in California's Central Valley

Indigenous Mexican migrants in California, who are estimated to be 16-20% of the state's agricultural workforce, face vulnerability both as immigrants and as members of an ethnic minority. Vulnerability stems from a number of factors including poverty and discrimination and puts this community at risk of food insecurity and poor health. The vulnerability of indigenous Mexican migrants is compounded by economic, occupational, social, and ethnic marginality as well as their relative invisibility to the government and social service providers.

This research highlights the specific story of Mixtecos in the San Joaquin Valley, one of many ethno-linguistic minority groups in California and focuses on the relationship between Mixtecos, poverty, food insecurity, and the Food Stamp Program. Information gathered from three focus groups of Mixtec participants, one in Madera and two in Fresno, reveal high rates of food insecurity, some knowledge and use of the Food Stamp Program, and the current challenges of the emergency food system to adequately address the dietary needs of Mixtecos. Interviews with Mixtec community leaders reveal that diet-related health concerns such as type 2 diabetes are now affecting the Mixtec community in California. Focus group participants and community leaders expressed a strong desire to maintain the traditional Mixtec diet and avoid processed foods that are low in nutritional value.

Recommendations and potential strategies for community-led interventions support a dynamic, multi-pronged approach for addressing hunger and poverty in this community. The significance of encouraging the traditional Mixtec diet for maintaining both health and culture is highlighted.