Thesis Defence: Connecting people to food, community and the more-than-human world through the creation of sustainable and equitable food systems in the upper Columbia river basin in Canada

Kaitlyn Adam, supervised by Dr. John Wagner & Dr. Miranda Hart, will defend their thesis titled “Connecting people to food, community and the more-than-human world through the creation of sustainable and equitable food systems in the upper Columbia river basin in Canada” in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies – Community Engagement, Social Change & Equity theme.

An abstract for Kaitlyn Adam’s thesis is included below.

Defences are open to all members of the campus community as well as the general public. Registration is not required for in-person defences.

Abstract

In this study, I focus on the local food movement in the Upper Columbia River Basin in British Columbia and examine the ways in which local food initiatives (LFIs) in the region are working to transform the existing industrial food system into one that cultivates deeper connections between people and their community, food, and the more-than-human world. My research employs qualitative methods, including 23 semi-structured interviews, site visits, volunteering, and a review of literature on the topic. The LFIs I focus on include community gardens/farms, an agricultural park, Indigenous food sovereignty projects, for-profit small/medium-scale farms producing food for local communities, food hubs, local and organic produce delivery services, a consumer food co-op, and other local food organizations.

My research findings indicate that although the local food movement is expanding, there are many challenges and systemic barriers that are hindering its growth, such as economic precarity, land access issues, corporate concentration, the government prioritization of industrial agriculture, and the lack of storage, processing and distribution facilities for local food. My research highlights some potential solutions which may help the local food movement scale up and out, such as increased government support for local/organic food, alternative land access models, local sales channels, and the establishment of more food hubs. Furthermore, my findings demonstrate how LFIs improve human and environmental health and foster a deeper connection between people and their community, food, and the more-than-human world, especially through food education and food gathering spaces. My research also examines the synergies between settler LFIs and Indigenous food systems, including relationship-building efforts, the creation of community gathering spaces, the distribution of free food to local communities, connection to the land, a holistic understanding of food systems, and pursuing organic/regenerative agriculture. Lastly, I highlight the ways in which settler LFIs are pursuing reconciliation through collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities, and the importance of education about the colonial roots of our food system and avenues to work through these issues. Ultimately, my research showcases the important work that LFIs are doing to transform our food system, offering hope for a better future for both humans and the planet.