Evaluation of Breast Pumping Rooms Placed in Fruit Packing Facilities in North Central Washington
For a very long time, WIC clinics and health care workers in north central Washington have been concerned about the low breastfeeding duration rates among women who work in the fruit packing industry. In the Wenatchee Valley, there are thousands of seasonal employees who pick and pack fruit and the majority of those who work in the packing warehouses are women of the childbearing age. The health workers noticed that most women returning to work in the fruit packing warehouses would stop breastfeeding or give formula to their babies while they were at work.
In April 2005, the Breastfeeding Awareness Coalition of Wenatchee (BACW) embarked on a project to introduce breast pumps to the fruit packing warehouses of the Wenatchee Valley in North Central Washington (area map). With financial support from the Washington State Department of Health WIC Program, Columbia Valley Community Health received a grant to purchase ten breast pumps, ten mini refrigerators, and ten locking cabinets. Five companies with ten facilities were provided with a breast pump, refrigerator, cabinet, free consultation and staff training. In exchange, participating warehouses were asked to provide a room with a chair and table and maintenance of the space.
For the past 5 years, there have been sporadic updates about the pumping rooms from dietetic interns who were assigned special projects such as developing the aforementioned brochure and taking photos of the rooms. Clients who have used the rooms also provided anecdotes during their WIC appointments. This report was commissioned by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington and is a review of the pumping rooms, breast pumps and promotion of these services. It is hoped that this information will benefit others in agricultural industry in other parts of Washington as well as other parts of the US. This report discusses the project design, process and results of the project; highlights features of the program that have been most effective and gives recommendations for improvements that would enhance a woman’s experience of working and breastfeeding in the fruit packing industry.
Download the report and watch the YouTube video
Brochure and Poster
An educational brochure entitled, “Tips on returning to work and pumping at the fruit packing warehouse” was created in Spanish and English for WIC clients who work at North Central Washington Fruit Packing Warehouses. (The brochure is a 4 panel gate fold and is not laid out to print on regular paper.) This link will show you what information is included within the brochure.
Fruit Packing Warehouses in North Central Washington; promotional poster for display in local WIC clinics and Fruit Packing Warehouses: English or Spanish