FINDING COMMON GROUND: THE FAIR TRADE AND LOCAL FOOD MOVEMENTS IN CANADA by JILLIAN MARIE WOLFE A Thesis presented to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Manitoba Department of Canadian Studies/ Études canadiennes In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS Copyright © 2012 by Jillian Wolfe Abstract A report on social consequences of neoliberal trade policies and the commodification of food, and the international efforts of small farmers to counteract the worst of these consequences. Social justice movements like fair trade and local food have emerged with the aim to expose the direct impacts on food producers. These movements co-exist while achieving their respective and mutual goals. Themes explored are: the fight against neoliberal globalization and mainstream trade, labour practices (workers' rights, fair wages, safe work environments,) sustainability (environmental practices, food security,) community and economic development and consumer awareness of aforementioned issues. Although these are global issues, close attention is paid to recent mobilization efforts in Canada and Manitoba among small food producers, farmers’ unions and related non-government organizations. i Acknowledgments Firstly, thank you to my advisor, Dr. Priscilla Walton. To my committee members, Dr. Michael Dorland and Dr. Dana Medoro- thank you for your thorough questions and supportive feedback. I look forward to our continuing discussions. Thank you to the director of the Maîtrise en Études canadiennes program at Saint-Boniface University, Lise Gaboury-Diallo. Thank you Mom, Dad and my husband, Dave. Alice Felawka, Niki Ashton, Emma Peacocke, Tanya Van Strien and Rhonda Hinther- thank you for all your support. ii Dedication To my grandmother, Alice Felawka, who was denied education because of her gender. To those whose work and suffering is hidden – may we shine the light on injustice and put people before profits. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract...................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments.................................................................................................................................... ii Dedication................................................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Origins and Principles of the Fair Trade and Local Food Movements.......................................... 3 2.1. Historical context of the fair trade movement in general and in Canada............................... 3 2.2. Historical context of the local food movement in general and in Canada.............................10 3. Literature Review.............................................................................................................................. 14 3.1. Fair Trade............................................................................................................................. 15 3.2. Local Food.............................................................................................................................24 3.3. Social Movements.................................................................................................................31 4. Comparison Section: Common Goals of the Fair Trade and Local Food Movements ............... 37 4.1. Criticisms of the movements working together...................................................................38 4.2. Theories in common and ways the movements can be studied............................................ 41 4.3. The fight against neoliberal globalization and mainstream trade......................................... 43 4.4. Labour practices (workers' rights, fair wages, safe work environments)............................. 49 4.5. Sustainability (environmental practices, food security)....................................................... 57 4.6. Community and economic development............................................................................. 61 5. Consumer Awareness and Public Involvement, Organizations and Events .................................63 5.1. Consumer involvement........................................................................................................ 63 5.2. Labelling initiatives.............................................................................................................. 67 5.3. Fair trade and local food organizations, outreach and events in Canada and Manitoba...... 68 6. Conclusion: Lessons Learned and Future Work ...........................................................................76 Works Cited............................................................................................................................................ 80 iv v 1. Introduction With campaigns such as Make Poverty History, awareness is growing of the injustices that take place in international trade practices. Average citizens recognize the counter-productiveness of international aid from the so-called first world if, as in some cases, trade tariffs imposed on developing countries cancel out this aid. This, and the desire to see producers receive fair wages, became the engine behind the fair trade movement. In the era of globalization and lightning-speed communication it is becoming impossible to ignore one's global neighbours. While thinking globally has become a popular refrain, thinking locally has become a priority for many. With buzzwords like “Go Green,” there is a desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. One way of reducing emissions is through changes to transportation habits, so relying on local food and products to reduce food miles is an important way of achieving this. Also, maintaining food security through a stable food supply is easier if a population is self-sustaining and reliant on food that is produced in the community. With these goals in mind, there have been various efforts to encourage more local trade. Focusing my attention on the realities in Canada, my research will investigate the fair trade and local food movements. There is a misconception that the two movements have conflicting goals or even hinder each others' success. I will show how two social movements can co-exist while achieving their respective and mutual goals in the arena of trade justice. Common focuses include environmental practices (sustainability), labour practices (workers' rights, fair wages, safe work environments) and economic impacts (growing the local economy and benefiting citizens of the region, at home or abroad.) The term 'domestic fair trade' is used when the traditional principles of international fair trade are applied to local production of commodities. My research will look at ways that fair trade 1 regulations are being encouraged in long-distance trade as well as in local trade. I will examine how governments, local organizations, producers and businesses, individuals, and consumers are all involved. I will look at ways to further raise awareness about and to encourage changes to the global food system through both fair and local trade in Canada. The research methodology will include document and data analysis for preliminary research to achieve a base knowledge of the issues. I will include publications from international organizations such as Oxfam and Fairtrade and articles from academic journals. I will explore commodity fetishism, comparative advantage, neoliberlism and ways of studying social movements. I will also include information from Manitoba organizations such as Fair Trade Manitoba, 100 Mile Manitoba and the Harvest Moon Society. My first section will begin with background information and definitions, which will be the historical context of the fair trade movement in general and in Canada, followed by a historical outline of the local food movement in general and in Canada. The next section, the literature review, will be thematically organized: first, the fair trade movement, second, the local food movement and finally, social movements in general. I will examine various authors' works to introduce my topic. I will analyze the literature and research question. I will discuss trends and developments identify conflicts and incompatibilities. In doing this, I will attempt to highlight the gap in knowledge which my research aims to fill and find new ways of looking at the topic. Next, the comparison section will identify commonalities in practices and in goals between the fair trade and local food movements. How can the two social movements co-exist while achieving their respective and mutual goals? Several arenas will be discussed to find such commonalities, such as labour practices, environmental and food supply sustainability, community and economic development 2 and consumer awareness of aforementioned issues. What theories apply to both movements? I will look at international and Canadian organizations, organized events, and challenges that promote public involvement in these social movements. To conclude, I will explore what lessons have been learned, what future project possibilities might look like,