Fourteenth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

Ensuring fair treatment of farm labour is intricately linked to sustainability in the food system. Equitable working conditions not only contribute to social sustainability but also foster a resilient agricultural workforce essential for long-term environmental stewardship and economic growth. As food production has become increasingly reliant on migrants, many researchers have documented unsafe and unfair working conditions, particularly among those with precarious legal statuses. By drawing attention to national and regional differences in the treatment of migrant farmworkers, we demonstrate how place (and time) shape workers’ lived experiences and influence social struggles and initiatives aimed at achieving social justice. We draw on ethnographic research conducted between 2021-2022, examining the working and living conditions of temporary migrant farmworkers in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Additionally, we integrate research, conducted between 2023-2024, on social sustainability initiatives aimed at improving employment standards for farmworkers in the United States, specifically California and Florida. Emphasizing the relevance of place in working conditions and essential protections of these workers, we situate our findings in the literature on migrants in agri-food systems in Europe.