The Social Sustainability of Potato Farming in Prince Edward Island: Applying Social Life Cycle Assessment to Determine Industry Performance

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) potato farming industry is a major contributor to the province’s economy, physical geography and cultural identity. While the economic and environmental impacts of PEI potato production are well-documented, social aspects have been largely overlooked. Using a qualitative reference scale Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) approach, this study evaluates the industry’s social performance across three key stakeholder groups: workers, the local community, and society. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with industry participants and a thorough review of secondary sources from government, industry, NGO and news publications. Findings reveal differentiated social performance. As a well-established and heavily-scrutinized industry, it performs positively among most social impact categories with various systems in place to benefit workers, the local community and society. However, social performance gaps were identified pertaining to labour inequities, local environmental impact and overall transparency. This research adds to the growing application of S-LCA in agriculture and highlights key areas for policy intervention to improve labour conditions, enhance environmental protections and promote greater transparency. Findings may help advance social sustainability in PEI’s potato farming industry and provide insights for broader agricultural systems.