I buy regular red leaf lettuce for $1.38/head. This lasts about a week-10 days for 2 people. Iceberg fluctuates more and is recently $1.68/head. It lasts longer. we use it for sandwiches. And I use Green Bags to prolong produce life.
I don’t know the pay scale for vegetable picking. I remember when lettuce was 1/2 the price it is today. Sometimes I grow my own.
From what people tell me, the pay is not what keeps Americans from doing the work. It is the nature of the work: repetitive, sweaty and boring. American workers want more autonomy.
Repeat after me: There is no job that an American won't do for a given wage if the price point is set correctly.
If you are not attracting workers at wage A then increase wage A by amount B until you attract employees. It is called supply and demand. Your "friends" are blowing smoke up your tucas.
Would you pick lettuce for $100/hour? Probably you would, that is a ridiculous example but it makes my point. There is a price point between minimum wage and 100/hr that will attract workers. it is their duty to find it , not import foreign nationals.