WeFeedYou, and yet…: How are temporary migrant workers’ food security, nutrition and health shaped in Quebec’s agri-food system – A participatory action research multiple-case study

Team

Rosanne Blanchet, Lara Gautier

Mónica  Ruiz-Casares, Malek Batel, Théa Demmers, Elizabeth Cooper, Eugénie Depatie-Pelletier, Lisa Kakinami, Mirelle Paquet

Funding

IRSC 2023-2028

Abstract

Temporary migrant workers (TMW) in Canada’s agri-food system (agriculture, food manufacturing) have tripled since 2005; Quebec hosts the second-largest number of TMW. Arriving mainly from Mexico and Guatemala, TMW work in Canada for up to eight months or two years, and many come back year after year. Even though TMW produce and process food, many cannot afford enough healthy foods and have poor diets and health because of the difficult conditions in which they live and work here. Yet, we do not know to what extent this is the case, as no data on their access to food and eating patterns in Canada are available. Access to food and eating patterns are important determinants of health and are influenced by multiple factors (e.g. policies, laws, income). Two case studies will provide evidence for the question: How are TMW’s food security, nutrition, and health shaped in Quebec’s agri-food system? What can we do about it? The cases selected are the 1) agriculture and 2) food manufacturing sectors, in a Quebec context. First, we measure TMW’s access to food, eating patterns and health and evaluate factors that influence them using an online survey with TMW. Second, we will explore TMW’s food-related experiences in Canada with PhotoVoice interviews. Third, we will assess underlying factors that influence TMW’s access to food, eating patterns and health by doing a document review and interviews with experts, such as decision makers, advocates, community organizations and employers. Fourth, TMW and experts will create and prioritize recommendations regarding TMW’s food access, eating patterns and health. This research will help us understand how access to food, eating patterns and health are shaped among TMW in Quebec’s agri-food system, including what their food-related experience in Canada means to them. It will also provide recommendations that TMW and experts think would improve TMW’s access to food, eating patterns and health.