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The Lower Mainland Food System: the Role of Fruit and Vegetable Processing

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The Lower Mainland Food System: the Role of Fruit and Vegetable Processing The Lower Mainland Food System: The Role of Fruit and Vegetable Processing by Grant Rice B.Comm., Royal Roads University, 2008 Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Urban Studies in the Urban Studies Program Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Grant Rice 2014 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2014 Approval Name: Grant Rice Degree: Master of Urban Studies Title of Thesis: The Lower Mainland Food System: The Role of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Examining Committee: Chair: Anthony Perl Professor, Urban Studies and Political Science Hannah Wittman Senior supervisor Adjunct Professor, Urban Studies Program, SFU. Associate Professor, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC. Peter Hall Co-supervisor Associate Professor Herb Barbolet External examiner Independent food consultant Date Defended/Approved: January 08, 2014 ii Partial Copyright Licence iii Ethics Statement iv Abstract In this paper I explore the transformation of the fruit and vegetable processing industry in BC’s Lower Mainland region from the late 1980s to 2011. I look at how the industry has adapted to the globalization of the fruit and vegetable processing sector and how it has evolved since the introduction of free trade agreements in 1989 and 1994. This research is based on the analysis of media reports, statistical data, survey results, and a series of interviews. The fruit and vegetable processing industry works within a globalized, competitive food system, while remaining an important component of the local food system. The paper contributes to the growing body of literature on Alternative Food Networks and Short Food Supply Chains in an often understudied link in that chain. This case study highlights the need for a strong and diversified local food economy in an era of climate change and uncertainty in the global food supply chain. Keywords: food processing; local food system; globalization; embeddedness v Dedication This is dedicated to my wife Gail Barron, for her enduring support of my lifelong learning. vi Acknowledgements I want to thank the people that participated in this research. I know how busy they all are and for them to take time away from running their business to fill in a survey or spend an hour or more of their time with me; I am truly grateful. I’d like to acknowledge my supervisors Dr. Hannah Wittman and Dr. Peter Hall for their support throughout my journey. Their advice and patience was greatly appreciated. I’d also like to thank Duncan Wlodarczak for his assistance in editing my initial draft. To my wife Gail, thank you for your support and encouragement during this time, and forever more. vii Table of Contents Approval .......................................................................................................................... ii Partial Copyright Licence ............................................................................................... iii Ethics Statement ............................................................................................................ iv Abstract ........................................................................................................................... v Dedication ...................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... vii Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... x List of Figures................................................................................................................. xi List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................ xii 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 2. Literature Review .................................................................................................. 8 2.1. Globalization and the Conventional Food System .................................................. 8 2.2. Alternative Food Networks and Short Food Supply Chains ................................... 12 2.3. Hybrid Food Systems ........................................................................................... 16 3. Methodology and Data Analysis ........................................................................ 18 3.1. Media Content Analysis ........................................................................................ 18 3.2. Statistical Analysis ................................................................................................ 20 3.3. Document Analysis ............................................................................................... 21 3.4. Surveys and Interviews ........................................................................................ 22 3.4.1. Sample Population .................................................................................... 22 3.4.2. Survey Instrument ..................................................................................... 23 3.4.3. Semi-structured Interviews ........................................................................ 23 4. Fruit and Vegetable Processing in the Lower Mainland .................................. 26 4.1. History of the Lower Mainland Processing Sector ................................................. 26 4.1.1. Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Boards and Commissions ......................... 26 4.1.2. Urban Growth............................................................................................ 31 4.1.3. Consolidation of the North American Fruit and Vegetable Sector .............. 32 4.1.4. Trade Wars and Tariffs ............................................................................. 42 4.2. The Current Landscape ........................................................................................ 45 4.2.1. The Last of the Early Processors .............................................................. 46 4.2.2. Farm-based Processing ............................................................................ 48 4.2.3. Scaling up – From Farmers Markets to the Retail Shelf ............................ 54 4.2.4. The Role of Co-packers in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector ........................ 57 5. Challenges and Opportunities to Scaling up the Fruit and Vegetable Processing Sector .............................................................................................. 59 5.1. Input Costs ........................................................................................................... 61 5.2. Regulations, Food Safety and Quality Control ...................................................... 62 5.3. Branding & Marketing ........................................................................................... 65 viii 5.3.1. Buy BC and Buy Local .............................................................................. 69 5.4. Capital Funding .................................................................................................... 71 5.5. Innovation ............................................................................................................. 73 5.6. Labour .................................................................................................................. 76 5.7. Retail Access & Distribution .................................................................................. 77 5.8. Capacity Utilization ............................................................................................... 79 5.9. Currency ............................................................................................................... 80 5.10. Regional Food Systems and Food Hubs .............................................................. 81 5.11. Climate Change .................................................................................................... 84 6. Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 86 References ................................................................................................................... 89 Appendices .................................................................................................................. 98 Appendix A. Lower Mainland & Metro Vancouver Regional District maps ............. 99 Appendix B. Media Content Analysis Bibliography .............................................. 100 Appendix C. Fruit and Vegetable Processor Survey ............................................ 106 Appendix D. Sample Population .......................................................................... 111 Appendix E. Interview Consent Form .................................................................. 114 Appendix F. Qualitative Interview ........................................................................ 116 Appendix G. Codebook ........................................................................................ 117 Appendix H. Buy Local Campaign ....................................................................... 118 ix List of Tables Table 3-1. Themes for Media Content Analysis .........................................................
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