Finding Fruit Picking Jobs
Fruit picking is often one of the first jobs for people living in rural communities or near farms. It is a common job in Europe where there is a wider variety of fruit and vegetables available. In wine regions, grape picking and processing is fun and a community job. In Spain, orange picking is big business for tourists and travellers looking to get a tan, and get paid at the same time. In the UK, the weather might not be great but the opportunities are abundant in the fruit picking game! Being a harvester can be fun, rewarding and a great way to spend some of your summer months.
A harvester is a key member of the agricultural workforce whose job it is to use harvesting machinery, such as a combine, to gather produce for processing and sale. They could also be a forage harvester, picking by hand fruit and vegetables for cleaning, and other delicate operations to prepare them for sale or storage. This occupation calls for expertise with the appropriate tools and harvesting methods. Most employers instruct new staff on-the-job to handle their equipment and crop-specific processes.
Where can I look for Fruit Picking jobs?
There are various online job platforms where you may hunt for fruit picking jobs in the United Kingdom. Begin by looking for job opportunities on Indeed. Visit Indeed to discover UK fruit picking jobs. Then, type in “Fruit Picking” along with your preferred location, and then choose Find Job. The website should provide a list of available fruit picking jobs in your area.
Also, you can try searching for “fruit picking” or “vegetable picking” on the government website directly (https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/), which is quite similar to using Indeed to look for a job.
Other places to look for fruit picking jobs include:
1. Pro-Force – Pro-Force is proud to be a part of the new Seasonal Worker Pilot scheme. They are the national market leader in agricultural and horticultural sourcing and labour services.
2. Facebook Groups – If you’re searching for a job, inquire in local Facebook groups.
3. Hop Seasonal Work – HOPS continues to give recruiting services to farmers and growers and has expanded into technology with the goal of improving labour utilisation and recruitment efficiency and, eventually, reducing their need for a large number of seasonal employees.
4. The most common way to find a job on a farm is to walk up to the farmer and simply ask. They often do not have time to advertise, and they often do not need to advertise, they either know people and reach out to people who have done it before, or they advertise by the side of the road and wait for people to drive up and ask.
If they do not get the applicants, it simply means more work and longer days for the farm staff.
Some fruit harvesting jobs provide accommodation for a modest fee. It’s best to get your application in early for any kind of fruit harvesting employment. You have a higher chance of landing well-paying opportunities if you submit your job application earlier. Even though picking fruit is often a physically demanding work, you still need to present yourself in a professional manner. Since it is seasonal work, you should be aware of the trends of the seasons, and which fruit and vegetables get harvested when, so you know who to approach for work at the right time.
Working outdoors can be hard work, but it can be fun and rewarding too
