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UK Consumers Priorities for Sustainable Food Purchases

Author

Listed:
  • Clonan, Angie
  • Holdsworth, Michelle
  • Swift, Judy
  • Wilson, Paul

Abstract

Although interest in ‘sustainable food’ has grown substantially in recent years, an official definition for sustainability has yet to be agreed upon. ‘Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming’ provide guidance to consumers wishing to make more sustainable food purchases, in the form of seven guiding principles. Using these principles, this study seeks to assess UK consumer’s priorities towards sustainable food. A detailed structured questionnaire explored shopping habits, attitudes to sustainable food components (organic, fair-trade, local food and animal welfare), stated purchasing behaviour and demographic information. Questionnaires were sent to 2,500 randomly selected Nottinghamshire (UK) residents. A response rate of 35.6% was achieved. The data reveals that consumers prioritise packaging, how food is produced and animal welfare when considering sustainable food components. Stated purchasing behaviour demonstrates that ‘free range’ and ‘local’ products are more likely to take precedence over other sustainability aspects. Future research will seek to compare and contrast stated and actual preferences by comparing the population survey results to actual purchasing behaviour from supermarket data.

Suggested Citation

  • Clonan, Angie & Holdsworth, Michelle & Swift, Judy & Wilson, Paul, 2010. "UK Consumers Priorities for Sustainable Food Purchases," 84th Annual Conference, March 29-31, 2010, Edinburgh, Scotland 91948, Agricultural Economics Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aesc10:91948
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.91948
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    Cited by:

    1. Sackett, Hillary & Shupp, Robert & Tonsor, Glynn, 2016. "Differentiating “Sustainable” From “Organic” And “Local” Food Choices: Does Information About Certification Criteria Help Consumers?," International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Department of Economics and Finance, vol. 4(3), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Sackett, Hillary M., 2011. "Consumer Perceptions of Sustainable Farming Practices: A Best-Worst Scenario," Graduate Research Master's Degree Plan B Papers 115966, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    3. Luigi Bollani & Alessandro Bonadonna & Giovanni Peira, 2019. "The Millennials’ Concept of Sustainability in the Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Sackett, Hillary M. & Shupp, Robert S. & Tonsor, Glynn T., 2012. "Discrete Choice Modeling of Consumer Preferences for Sustainably Produced Steak and Apples," 2012 AAEA/EAAE Food Environment Symposium 123517, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Sackett, Hillary M. & Shupp, Robert & Tonsor, Glynn, 2013. "Consumer Perceptions of Sustainable Farming Practices: A Best-Worst Scenario," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 42(2), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Luigi Bollani & Giovanni Peira & Erica Varese & Enrico Nesi & Maria Beatrice Pairotti & Alessandro Bonadonna, 2017. "Labelling and sustainability in the green food economy: Perception among millennials with a good cultural background," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(2), pages 83-101.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety;

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