Overcoming the local trap through inclusive and multi-scalar food systems: A case study of EthniCity Catering in Calgary, Alberta
Abstract
Current industrialized food systems have detrimental consequences for people and the planet. Relocalizing food systems offers one strategy to mitigate these harms; advocates point to opportunities for ecological, economic, and social benefits as reason to localize food production. However, the assumption that the local is inherently preferable to the global can lead academics, practitioners, and consumers into the local trap. With increasing ethnic diversity in Canada, the perception that local is inherently good and global is inherently bad can translate into defensive and exclusionary tendencies towards the food preferences and practices of newcomers, immigrants and refugees. While the literature identifies various manifestations of the local trap, it offers limited investigation of strategies that may overcome this pitfall. In contrast to defensive localism, alternative conceptualizations of scale may support action in favour of collaborative, inclusive, and diversity-receptive outcomes in food systems. Therefore, in this thesis, I aim to identify strategies that may include the food preferences and practices of newcomers while also addressing problematic aspects of industrial food systems. I also seek to
understand the mechanisms and conceptualizations that enable such strategies. To accomplish this, 1) I completed a literature analysis to synthesize potential strategies and models and 2) empirically explored food practices and goals of the EthniCity Catering program (Centre for Newcomers) in Calgary, Alberta to illustrate the potential application of such strategies in a specific time and place. This thesis hopes to offer theoretical contributions to geographical discussions on scale in food systems as well as practical implications for food system practitioners.
Notes
Future research / gaps identified:
Future research questions proposed by the author include:
1) What role do intermediaries play in bringing together local food producers and ethnic food processors?
2) What role might public food procurement for culturally diverse residents (in schools, hospitals, correctional facilities etc.) offer to the ongoing economic viability of small-scale local producers?
Integration timeline: not defined
Community organizations:
EthniCity Catering (part of the Centre for Newcomers)
Key findings:
1) Industrial food systems pose multiple concerns, such as ecological sustainability, social and economic justice, and food quality. A proposed response to this is food system localization.
2) However, food system localization runs the risk of positioning local food as ‘best’ for the environment and other such factors, while positioning international foods and cuisines as ‘bad’.
3) Through a case study of EthniCity Catering, the author proposes multi-scalar food systems that are inclusive to newcomers while still aiming towards the benefits of local food production systems.
4) The author proposes creating multi-scalar food systems through: establishing a social vision and values that is inclusive, engaging with newcomers to innovate local food systems, combining local ingredients and global recipes, and emphasizing ethical and transparent global sourcing of ingredients.
Key populations:
Employees of the EthniCity Catering program, as well as the broader scope of employees and policy makers involved in local and global food systems management
Key recommendations:
1) Emphasize EthniCity Catering as a source of inspiration to other organizations for diversity-receptive and reflexive approaches to food system development.
2) Connect inclusive food systems to more traditional local food initiatives to increase awareness of the places, people, and processes that contribute to the production of their ingredients.
3) Explicitly address the significant role that processors and distributors play in creating and shaping the physical and social spaces for consumption of production-oriented local food.
Location: Calgary, AB
Open access: Yes