LE3 .A278 2023

2023

Callaghan, Edith

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Environmental & Sustainability Studies

Food systems are critical to sustaining humanity; they are also being threatened at a global scale from the climate crisis. By examining the position of post-secondary institutions in the reproduction and transitioning of food systems, this thesis aims to further understanding of the potential role Canadian universities could play in developing more sustainable food systems. My focus is grounded by two guiding questions: What supports strong, resilient, and effective engagement of universities within sustainable food systems? How can universities work to develop and expand sustainable food systems? Using a mixed-methods approach, I conduct a comparative case study between Acadia University in Wolfville, NS and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC to highlight commonalities and differences between the institutions in three categories: Challenges to procuring food sustainably; benefits from sustainable food procurement efforts; and potential leverage points where these institutions have impacted the greater dominant food system. Supported by these case studies and complimented by research on the landscape of food sustainability efforts being implemented by universities across the country, I propose that there are three distinct ways institutions can, and are, influencing sustainable transitional change to the dominant food system: by establishing niche technologies; by developing new sustainable food infrastructure; and by changing the cultural/symbolic meanings that their community’s attribute to food systems. This research contributes to the existing literature by showing how two different institutions have each fostered alternatives to the dominant food system (the global industrial food complex).

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:4021