Consumer demand for labor attributes in food products: The case of prison labor in milk

Stewart, Donnyqua Lauren

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122177 Copy

Description

Title

Consumer demand for labor attributes in food products: The case of prison labor in milk

Author(s)

Stewart, Donnyqua Lauren

Issue Date

2023-12-07

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Atallah, Shadi

Committee Member(s)

• Arends-Kuenning, Mary
• Endres, Bryan
• Kalaitzandonakes, Maria

Department of Study

Agr & Consumer Economics

Discipline

Agricultural & Applied Econ

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Carcerality
• Agriculture
• Consumer demand
• Choice Experiment
• Ethical products
• Sustainability
• Prison labor

Abstract

Carceral systems, deeply rooted in historical injustice, extend their ideologies, logics, and practices into society, including food systems. The use of prison labor in agriculture and food systems is notably underdiscussed. The practice of employing incarcerated individuals in agriculture and food production processes raises profound ethical and human rights concerns, echoing historical legacies of exploitation and systemic inequalities. This research measures consumer attitudes and preferences for milk made with or free of incarcerated labor. Results for the study indicate that consumers have a notable aversion to milk made with prison labor, and demonstrated substantial preferences for milk using labor practices that guarantee safe working conditions or minimum wage. Further, the findings of this research also reveal that consumer choices are influenced by race and ethnicity: consumers from communities overrepresented in the carceral system have a greater aversion to food made using carceral labor. Results from this research are informative to producers and policymakers regarding the potential development of a labor sustainability label, akin to USDA Organic, advocating for fair labor practices and the exclusion of carceral labor in the broader context of social sustainability standards.

Graduation Semester

2023-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122177

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Donnyqua Stewart

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