University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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

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
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2023 Donnyqua Stewart

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