Community Rallies Around Orchard Workers Stranded in Meaford as Hurricane Melissa Rages in Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa has left Jamaican orchard workers unable to return home, where their families face destruction and the need to rebuild. Grandma Lambe's hopes to rally the community to help.
Seventeen Jamaican orchard workers employed at Grandma Lambe’s in Meaford remain stranded in Grey County after their scheduled return flights were cancelled this week due to Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that tore through the centre of Jamaica on Wednesday.
The group, many of whom have been coming to Canada for decades to support the region’s apple harvest, had been preparing to fly home following the end of the season. But with airports shuttered and roads blocked by flooding and landslides, their return has been indefinitely delayed.
Communication has been limited, and for some, completely cut off.
“Since the men’s flights have been cancelled in anticipation of the hurricane, we have not heard of any rescheduled flights,” Grandma Lambe’s owner Dave Lambe told Owen Sound Current. “There’s been little to no communication back and forth, and we have no idea when they’re returning home.”
A GoFundMe campaign launched Wednesday by Stephanie Lambe, who works at the family-run orchard and store, has already raised more than $6,700 in its first 24 hours. The funds will support the workers and their families as they prepare to return home to communities devastated by the storm.
“The damage is still unknown and many of our coworkers haven’t been able to connect with family,” Stephanie wrote on the campaign page.
“While here in Meaford, we’re doing everything we can to help, but it’s when the men go home they will need to start to rebuild their homes and communities.”
According to the Associated Press, Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread destruction across Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica. In Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth parish — where some of the workers are from — landslides have blocked roads and damaged homes.
A high school used as a public shelter had part of its roof torn off, and streets in towns like Santa Cruz have been reduced to mud pits.
“One of the men has been with us since 1985,” Dave Lambe said. “He’s being sent images of his community wiped out and he hasn’t heard from any of his family. It’s just awful.”
A worker added, “I’ve been coming to Meaford since 1991, and this is the worst hurricane I’ve experienced while being away from my family. We have not heard from our loved ones.”
Despite the uncertainty and emotional toll, the local community's support has helped. “We really appreciate what everyone is doing for us. It’s lifted our spirits,” one of the workers shared.
“From our standpoint, we’re overwhelmed and proud of the community support for these men and their families,” said Dave Lambe.
A Longstanding Bond Between Farm and Workers
The Lambe family has been employing seasonal offshore workers from Jamaica for decades. Workers arrive in phases — some in April to begin pruning and preparing the orchard, and others in September for the harvest itself, which typically lasts six to seven weeks.
The story of Grandma Lambe’s begins in the 1940s, when Mabel Lambe started selling apples from her garage along Highway 26 in Meaford. What began as a roadside stand grew steadily through the decades, eventually expanding to a full storefront in 1984 and becoming a year-round business in 1992.
The Lambe orchard grew to 75 acres by 1950. Generations of the Lambe family have continued the tradition, with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren helping run the farm and store. Grandma Lambe’s remains a cornerstone of the Meaford community and a familiar name across Grey County and beyond.
“Without these men, we would not be able to harvest the apple crop,” Dave Lambe said.
This year’s harvest had just concluded when the hurricane threat escalated. The workers were expecting to return home in early November — a routine rhythm that has marked generations of collaboration between the Meaford farm and Jamaican communities.
For now, they remain in Grey County worried for their community at home, and hopeful their second one in Canada can assist.
“Tears streaming with pride and gratitude for the support,” Stephanie Lambe said of her feelings towards donors. “Watching the guys brave the worst storm to date while being away from their loved ones is heartbreaking. Thank you, thank you!”
How to Help
As of Thursday morning, the fundraising campaign remained open and continues to accept donations. Funds will support workers while they remain in Canada and assist with recovery efforts when they return to Jamaica.
To contribute, visit the campaign on GoFundMe.