Our piece, Earthquake In Peru Prompts Appeal For Help To Farm Workers There, featured an appeal by Bruce McEvoy of Seald Sweet LLC for the industry to act to help the farm workers and their families who have been displaced by the earthquake. The article has brought some additional information from Lima:
I live in Lima and act as broker for an asparagus producer in the disaster area. I see images of distress in the TV news that suggest an immediate need — and that is of shelter… there are not enough TENTS, and there are thousands of people in the street.
You can rapidly count them, pack them and send them in the same airplanes that usually thrive on the cargo demanded by asparagus (ask the airlines for free space). The asparagus industry here can distribute them.
In that way we can be all socially responsible people.
Thanks America for your intent in helping.
— Luis R. Poirier
Broker Consultant
Agricola Chapi S.A.
Yesterday we reported that: We spoke to Priscilla Lleras, the director of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association, and she indicated an immediate need for water, canned goods, blankets and tents delivered to Miami. This aid would go through the association to the produce workers most affected by this earthquake.
Mr. Poirier has focused in on tents as a prime need. With the growth of produce into general merchandise stores — Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger’s Fred Meyer and others — there are many Pundit readers working for organizations that sell tents.
Surely some would like to make a donation.
The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association has secured both some sea and air space out of Miami and can handle the logistics of distribution.
We realize that it is not typically in the Pundit reader’s department that tents, water, canned goods and blankets are sold. Still it is the same organization and surely many will want to support the workers who normally supply their stores with asparagus, onions and other products.
If your organization is in a position to donate any of the needed items, or if you would like to donate cash but want to make sure it gets to where it is needed, please send us an e-mail right here.
We are happy to help.
