Prince Charles is looking for an army of food pickers, around 80,000 people to be exact, to help farmers pick their crops so that these won't go to waste amid this pandemic. The Prince of Wales announced the need for workers in a new initiative, dubbed "Pick for Britain," which he is launching to help the U.K. government.
In a video post, Prince Charles said that thousands of people will be needed in the coming months to harvest fruits and vegetables at various farms across the U.K. The future King of England conceded that this task is unglamorous but necessary so that the crops can be properly distributed and not taken for granted.
Prince Charles said that in these uncertain times, people are likely seeing the value of food that comes from the actual sources -- the farmers. So, he is encouraging those who have been furloughed and students who are off school to sign up as pickers and make worthy use of their time.
Farmers across the U.K. said that they will have a shortage of workers due to the coronavirus pandemic since many pickers come from Eastern Europe. However, since borders are closed and travels are limited at this time, then a large number of the laborers won't arrive in the U.K. in time for the harvest.
Pickers will receive minimum wage compensation courtesy of the government. Those who want to work as pickers must be 18 years old above and can sign up at Pick for Britain's official site.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will not be visiting Ireland and Northern Ireland for a while. The Prince of Wales confirmed in a message sent to the British Embassy in Dublin that he is sad for the cancellation of their visit.
Prince Charles and Camilla were actually supposed to be in Ireland and Northern Ireland in the middle of March for a week-long visit. However, the public health crisis prompted the royals to move their trip indefinitely. Around this time, Prince Charles was diagnosed with COVID-19 but he, fortunately, had mild symptoms of the virus infection and was in generally good health.
The Prince of Wales said that he is still looking forward to going to Ireland and Northern Ireland "once happier times" are back. The royal couple, however, have not set a confirmed date since the pandemic is not yet under control. As of Wednesday, May 20, the U.K. has a confirmed 249,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 36,000 deaths.
