Get Involved
Join El Hormiguero
El hormiguero — the anthill — is our community of allies who support food workers building power across NYC. One hour a week can change someone's working life.
The Main Way to Volunteer
Weekly Group Research Sessions
El Hormiguero Research Sessions
Show Up. Dig In. Build Power.
Our weekly research sessions are where allies dig into the on-the-ground realities facing NYC food workers — finding employer records, mapping supply chains, surfacing legal violations, and building the knowledge base organizers need to win. No prior experience required. Just bring your time and curiosity.
What Happens at a Session
Each week volunteers work in small groups on specific research tasks assigned by organizers — employer background checks, industry data, policy research, or mapping worker networks. Everything feeds directly into active campaigns.
Who Shows Up
Students, lawyers, data folks, writers, retired teachers, lifelong organizers. Our volunteers come from everywhere. What unites them is a belief that workers deserve better and a willingness to do concrete work to make that happen.
Sign Up to Volunteer
Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch with details about the next session.
More Ways to Help
Other Ways to Get Involved
Join Actions
Show up at rallies, pickets, and community actions alongside workers fighting back. Your physical presence matters — it builds morale and sends a message to employers that workers aren't alone.
Outreach Sessions
Help us reach workers who don't yet know their rights or that Brandworkers exists. We do outreach near food production facilities and at community events across the five boroughs.