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Health Secretary Becerra touts extreme heat protections. Farmworkers want more.
Clarksburg, California — On a sunny August morning in this agricultural town, before temperatures soared to 103 degrees, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra stood outside the small public library.
He came to talk about the Biden administration’s efforts to protect farmworkers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, two emerging public health issues at the forefront of the climate crisis.
“There are still not enough protections for workers that are picking the food that we eat,” Becerra told a group of local reporters and government officials, who outnumbered the farmworkers in the audience.
Becerra, whose father worked in the fields, had just come from visiting women picking grapes who protect themselves from the sun by dressing in sweaters, long pants and kerchiefs that cover their noses and mouths. The summers are long and intense in Clarksburg, a town of about 300 people along the Sacramento River that supplies California’s wine industry with petite sirah, sauvignon blanc and other grapes harvested by hundreds of farmhands.
“It’s going to be a hot day,” he added. “But they are still dressed as if it were winter.”
Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News
The nation’s top health officer, who is mulling a run for governor, has emerged as one of the Biden administration’s leading voices on climate change, focusing attention on low-income and other marginalized workers, who feel the impacts of extreme weather the most. In March, HHS released voluntary safety guidelines and educational materials that farms can use to protect their workers from smoke and heat.
Becerra’s appearance before reporters in front of the library was brief and scheduled to mark Farmworker Appreciation Day, not far from his home in Sacramento, where his wife, a doctor specializing in high-risk pregnancies, remains at work. He advertised the educational materials on the risks of heat illness and when temperatures might be too high to work. But he acknowledged that there is only so much he can do because workplace protections are overseen by the Department of Labor.
“Much of our jurisdiction doesn’t reach those workers directly,” Becerra acknowledged after meeting with grape pickers. “We owe everyone who is working to put food on our table the best effort to make sure that they are working under the safest conditions.”
His aides distributed a news release that listed a number of resources, including free workplace health investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; a training on the dangers of heat and smoke from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Worker Training Program; and planned awards to 77 health care providers in high-need areas, totaling $50 million, from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat, which is already the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S., as well as fueling wildfires across the nation. There’s no official count of farmworker deaths from weather, but heat-related deaths have increased in recent years, jumping from 1,722 in 2022 to about 2,300 last year.
The U.S. Department of Labor in July released a proposed workplace heat standard that would require employers to give rest breaks, water and shade or air conditioning to workers exposed to excessive heat, but a final rule is likely years away. It’s unclear if it would supersede state regulations.
Five states have heat safety protections for workers in outdoor or indoor settings. In California, for instance, employers must provide water, cool-down areas, and breaks to workers when temperatures hit 82 degrees indoors and 80 degrees outdoors. The other states are Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington, and Maryland is expected to finalize a heat standard this year.
While Becerra said states can create their own workplace safety regulations, a federal heat safety standard would offer protections nationwide, forcing states like Florida and Texas — whose Republican governors have signed laws banning heat safety protections — to comply with minimum standards.
Becerra is hoping states will tap into the programs his health department is offering even though they are optional. Even in California, which has one of the country’s toughest heat protection standards, workers could benefit.
Lizbeth Mastache, who met privately with Becerra beforehand, said the days she spends in the fields picking grapes shrouded in wildfire smoke and extreme heat are not only becoming more frequent, but they are also making her sick.
She has had headaches, fatigue, and nausea from the heat, and has gone to the emergency room after smoky skies triggered her asthma. She and other farmworkers told Becerra they need guaranteed sick leave — to care for themselves when the smoke and heat sickens them — and affordable health insurance.
“I had to work picking grapes during the wildfires and they didn’t give us masks,” said Mastache, a farmworker for the past 14 years.
She said some farms haven’t allowed outreach workers onto their property to educate workers about how to prevent heat illness.
Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News
That’s a problem when many seasonal workers, who move for work among different states, don’t know that California requires employers to provide water, breaks, and training.
About three years ago, researchers at the University of California-Merced’s Community and Labor Center found that 15% of California farmworkers did not receive minimum rest breaks, and over 40% said their employer never provided a heat illness prevention plan. More than a third of farmworkers said they would not file a report against their employer, most of them for fear of retaliation.
The California Farm Bureau, which represents about 29,000 farmers, disputes the center’s findings, saying there have been few cases of heat illness among its members’ workers. Bryan Little, director of employment policy at the bureau, said his organization has trained hundreds of farmers and ranchers on how to protect workers from heat illness, such as by providing water and portable shaded spaces in the field for employees to cool off.
“They’re doing things every day to try to make sure that we can avoid exposing human beings to these risks, to the greatest extent that we can,” Little said.
While farmworker advocates praise Becerra for drawing attention to the harmful and sometimes fatal impacts of heat and wildfire smoke, they worry federal dollars won’t reach the most vulnerable. For example, there’s no guarantee much of that $50 million earmarked for health care providers will go to health care centers that serve farmworkers, said Amy Liebman, a chief program officer at the Migrant Clinicians Network, who has worked in migrant safety and health for over two decades.
“We need to make sure that our health centers are prepared and our clinicians are prepared,” Liebman said. “So that means that there needs to be a shift in terms of not just this emphasis, but some of the funding for it.”
As Becerra left his podium, covered with the sign “Protecting Communities From Extreme Heat,” he disappeared into the library and minutes later departed for Stockton to champion the next issue — lower prescription drug prices — with Democratic Rep. Josh Harder, who represents a competitive Central Valley congressional district.
This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
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CookUnity
Looking to save some money on your weekly food budget this fall? Meal kit delivery services are already a budget-friendly alternative to grocery shopping or ordering delivery, but we here at CBS Essentials have found even more ways to save with the best deals on meal kits this month.
Unless you’re brand new to meal kits (in which case welcome to your new nutritious, affordable and hassle-free lifestyle!), you’ve probably seen a meal kit company offer up an enticing deal for first-time subscribers. These deals, which typically translate to price markdowns on one or more weekly deliveries, can be fleeting — there one week, gone the next.
To help you find the best deals that won’t slip through your metaphorical fingers, we’ve researched the absolute best deals on meal kits that are available this month.
The best deals on meal kits this month
We rounded up the best deals you’ll find on meal kits and listed our favorites below. These deals are definitely available through the end of September, but beyond that, who’s to say? Don’t wait around to see these big discounts and fun freebies vanish after this month ends — find the best meal kit delivery deal for you and sign up today.
Interested in saving money on your first meal kit delivery? How about discounts that last for several week’s worth of orders? Whether you’re looking for a great deal on first time meal kit subscriptions or simply want to hook yourself up with freebies like ButcherBox’s offer of free ground beef and wings for six months, we have the best deals you can find on meal kits this month below.
Save 50% off your first order with CookUnity
CookUnity via X/Twitter
Based in New York, CookUnity is a chef-to-consumer meal delivery service that pairs families with the works of local talented chefs. It isn’t available nationwide quite yet, but CookUnity is rapidly expanding its reach, covering most of the continental U.S. with the exception of West Virginia, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and parts of Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado.
If you’re interested in signing up for access to CookUnity’s 70+ weekly recipes, now is the time to act. For the rest of this month, CookUnity is offering a whopping 50% discount for that first weekly delivery to new subscribers.
Free ground beef and wings for six months when you try ButcherBox
ButcherBox
Sometimes you know exactly what you want in a meal delivery service, and if that’s grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork or chicken, then ButcherBox is right up your alley.
This delivery service replaces the wide variety of meals and sides that most other meal delivery services offer in place of a curated selection of meats. You can then use these as the base for your own cooking.
ButcherBox works with a group of family-owned farms and cooperatives to source its meats. ButcherBox deliveries are priced per meal. ButcherBox always offers free shipping.
All month long, first time subscribers can enjoy an impressive bonus: free ground beef and free wings each week for six months.
Enjoy 50% off your first four weeks with Blue Apron
Blue Apron
During our in-depth review for Blue Apron, we found plenty of reasons to sign up for the popular meal delivery service. Among Blue Apron’s +70 weekly recipe options, there are more than a few diet-friendly options for people to choose from.
Blue Apron also offers subscribers a choice between build-your-own meal kits that take as little as 20 minutes to whip up in the kitchen and a new line of prepared and ready meals. These nutritious offerings take no time at all to prepare, with most prepared and ready dishes ready to go in five minutes or less.
This month, Blue Apron is offering new subscribers an impressive 50% discount that is spread across their first four weeks.
Save 10% on orders over $100 with Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest has a refreshing menu full of dinners, lunches and snacks that are made from whole fruits and vegetables. If you want certified organic meals, Daily Harvest is worth considering.
Daily Harvest is extra worthy this month thanks to a simple yet effective discount: new subscribers can save 10% on orders with a total over $100.
Deliveries are put together one item at a time, so you have the freedom to build your own meal plan each week. Pick anywhere from nine to 24 items each week. Prices for Daily Harvest typically start at $7 per item.
Want half off your first box? Sign up for Factor
Factor
If you want fresh, ready-made meals that take little to no prep time, then Factor has a number of nutritious and satisfying meals for you to try out this month. Each fresh, never-frozen dinner is designed by one of Factor’s gourmet chefs.
If you’re interested in Factor’s selection of diet-friendly options — Factor serves up more than 30 dietitian-approved meals each week — then now is the time to sign up.
All through September, first time subscribers can save 50% off the price of their first box.
Get discounted meals as low as $3 per serving with EveryPlate
EveryPlate
One of the most affordable meal kit delivery services available today just got a little bit cheaper thanks to this month’s discount. EveryPlate offers a good selection of nutritious and hassle-free recipes each week, which you can enjoy for a fraction of the normal price by signing up during September.
Normally available starting at $5 per serving, EveryPlate orders are currently available to new subscribers for as low as $3 per serving.
Save $260 off your first five boxes with Marley Spoon
Marley Spoon
Marley Spoon is a meal kit company that’s all about the cooking experience. Each box contains quality ingredients and recipes based off of Martha Stewart classics, which have been pared down to be even more accessible to the average home chef.
If you’re ready to make the switch to meal kits, Marley Spoon has the perfect long-term offer. Right now, anyone who signs up for Marley Spoon can enjoy $260 in savings, spread across their first five boxes.
Get 50% off your first box, while supplies last, with Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot offers delicious, frequently low-calorie, meals each week. Every plant-based meal kit or pre-made meal is packed with nutrients — a perfect choice for vegans, vegetarians or anyone who just wants to eat healthier.
All through September, Purple Carrot is offering a 50% discount on that first weekly box for first-time subscribers.
How much do meal kits cost?
One of the biggest benefits to meal kits is the cost. Let’s face it: grocery prices can easily get out of hand, no matter how thrifty you are. The average two-person household typically spends between $450 and $800 per month at the grocery store.
Meal kit prices essentially boil down to the price per serving for each delivered meal kit. Most meal kits cost between $8 and $12 per serving, with prices going up if you choose fewer meals or servings each week (and vice versa). These prices are laid out for subscribers building their meal plan.
The good news is that first-time subscribers can usually find impressive sign-up bonuses and discounts. If you’re looking for the best deals, circle back to our list above for the best meal kit deals available through the end of September.
How do meal kits work?
Put simply, a meal kit is a subscription food delivery service that’s all about convenience. Meal kits are shipped right to your door, with ingredients prepped and pre-portioned to save you as much time as possible in the kitchen. Most meal kits leave the cooking steps up to you: Simply follow the included instructions (typically printed on recipe cards that you can save) to whip up dinner for you or the whole family with ease.
Weekly recipes change weekly so there’s always something new to look forward to. And if you ever want a break from meal kits, most meal kit delivery services make it easy to pause or cancel your subscription.
What is the best meal kit for large families?
In many ways, meal kits are one of the best solutions for anyone struggling to come up with new and nutritional dinners each night for a full house. They can help to cut down on expenses and save you time with pre-portioned meal kits that take a fraction of the time to whip up over a traditional home cooked meal.
One standout benefit that some meal delivery services offer is the option to personalize your meal plan. EveryPlate is one meal delivery service that has a meal plan perfectly tailored for larger families. EveryPlate’s kid-friendly family plan comes with dozens of weekly meal options.
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