IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i20p8969-d1767861.html

Drivers of Local Food Consumption Among Young Consumers: Integrating Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations

Author

Listed:
  • Elisabetta Savelli

    (Department of Economics, Society, Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Gissi

    (Department of Economics, Society, Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

Abstract

Local food (LF) consumption has achieved increasing attention over the last few decades, given its potential to enhance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Despite its benefits, understanding consumer behaviour towards LF remains underexplored. This study investigates intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for LF consumption among young Italian consumers, applying Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Using structural equation modelling (SEM) on a sample of 931 respondents, this study reveals the significant roles of perceived benefits, knowledge, satisfaction, and food sustainability concern (FSC) in shaping people’s intention to consume LF. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of food sustainability concerns, as an extrinsic motivation improving the effect of the intrinsic ones, thus fostering a persistent intention to consume local food.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisabetta Savelli & Vincenzo Gissi, 2025. "Drivers of Local Food Consumption Among Young Consumers: Integrating Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:8969-:d:1767861
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/8969/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/8969/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Schmitt, Michael T. & Aknin, Lara B. & Axsen, Jonn & Shwom, Rachael L., 2018. "Unpacking the Relationships Between Pro-environmental Behavior, Life Satisfaction, and Perceived Ecological Threat," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 130-140.
    2. Dan-Cristian Dabija & Brândușa Mariana Bejan & Claudiu Pușcaș, 2020. "A Qualitative Approach to the Sustainable Orientation of Generation Z in Retail: The Case of Romania," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-20, July.
    3. Paula Silva, 2025. "Adolescents’ Perceptions of Sustainable Diets: Myths, Realities, and School-Based Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-28, June.
    4. Dawn Thilmany & Craig A. Bond & Jennifer K. Bond, 2008. "Going Local: Exploring Consumer Behavior and Motivations for Direct Food Purchases," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1303-1309.
    5. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    6. Zepeda, Lydia & Leviten-Reid, Catherine, 2004. "Consumers' Views on Local Food," Journal of Food Distribution Research, Food Distribution Research Society, vol. 35(3), pages 1-6, November.
    7. David L. Sunding, 2003. "The Role for Government in Differentiated Product Markets: Looking to Economic Theory," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 85(3), pages 720-724.
    8. Elisa Giampietri & Dieter B. A. Koemle & Xiaohua Yu & Adele Finco, 2016. "Consumers’ Sense of Farmers’ Markets: Tasting Sustainability or Just Purchasing Food?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-14, November.
    9. 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.
    10. Lucio Cappelli & Fabrizio D’Ascenzo & Roberto Ruggieri & Irina Gorelova, 2022. "Is Buying Local Food a Sustainable Practice? A Scoping Review of Consumers’ Preference for Local Food," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-17, January.
    11. Aleksandra Kowalska & Monika Ratajczyk & Louise Manning & Milena Bieniek & Radosław Mącik, 2021. "“Young and Green” a Study of Consumers’ Perceptions and Reported Purchasing Behaviour towards Organic Food in Poland and the United Kingdom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-23, November.
    12. Ledyard Tucker & Charles Lewis, 1973. "A reliability coefficient for maximum likelihood factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 38(1), pages 1-10, March.
    13. Birch, Dawn & Memery, Juliet & De Silva Kanakaratne, Maheshan, 2018. "The mindful consumer: Balancing egoistic and altruistic motivations to purchase local food," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 221-228.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Maria Teresa Trentinaglia De Daverio & Teresina Mancuso & Massimo Peri & Lucia Baldi, 2020. "How Does Consumers’ Care for Origin Shape Their Behavioural Gap for Environmentally Friendly Products?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Michael C. Dorneich & Caroline C. Krejci & Nicholas Schwab & Tiffanie F. Stone & Erin Huckins & Janette R. Thompson & Ulrike Passe, 2024. "Producer and consumer perspectives on supporting and diversifying local food systems in central Iowa," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(2), pages 661-681, June.
    3. Grebitus, Carola & Printezis, Iryna & Printezis, Antonios, 2017. "Relationship between Consumer Behavior and Success of Urban Agriculture," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 189-200.
    4. Prisco, Anna & Ricciardi, Irene & Percuoco, Martina & Basile, Vincenzo, 2025. "Sustainability-driven fashion: Unpacking generation Z’s second-hand clothing purchase intentions," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    5. Zhenhui (Jack) Jiang & Cheng Suang Heng & Ben C. F. Choi, 2013. "Research Note —Privacy Concerns and Privacy-Protective Behavior in Synchronous Online Social Interactions," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 24(3), pages 579-595, September.
    6. Lau, Patricia Yin Yin & Tong, Jane L.Y. Terpstra & Lien, Bella Ya-Hui & Hsu, Yen-Chen & Chong, Chooi Ling, 2017. "Ethical work climate, employee commitment and proactive customer service performance: Test of the mediating effects of organizational politics," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 20-26.
    7. Mecking, Rebecca-Ariane & Roosen, Jutta, 2015. "Consumer empowerment in food retailing and the role of altruistic motives: an application of the theory of planned behavior," 143rd Joint EAAE/AAEA Seminar, March 25-27, 2015, Naples, Italy 202698, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Lianne Foti & Avis Devine, 2019. "High Involvement and Ethical Consumption: A Study of the Environmentally Certified Home Purchase Decision," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-11, September.
    9. Hazem Ali & Min Li & Yunhong Hao, 2021. "Purchasing Behavior of Organic Food among Chinese University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    10. Luigi Cembalo & Daniela Caso & Valentina Carfora & Francesco Caracciolo & Alessia Lombardi & Gianni Cicia, 2019. "The “Land of Fires” Toxic Waste Scandal and Its Effect on Consumer Food Choices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, January.
    11. Nketiah, Emmanuel & Song, Huaming & Obuobi, Bright & Adu-Gyamfi, Gibbson & Adjei, Mavis & Cudjoe, Dan, 2022. "Citizens' willingness to pay for local anaerobic digestion energy: The influence of altruistic value and knowledge," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    12. Gkargkavouzi, Anastasia & Halkos, George & Matsiori, Steriani, 2019. "How do motives and knowledge relate to intention to perform environmental behavior? Assessing the mediating role of constraints," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 1-1.
    13. Tandon, Anushree & Dhir, Amandeep & Kaur, Puneet & Kushwah, Shiksha & Salo, Jari, 2020. "Why do people buy organic food? The moderating role of environmental concerns and trust," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    14. Fida Ragheb Hassanein & Sandip Solanki & Krishna Murthy Inumula & Amira Daouk & Nadine Abdel Rahman & Suha Tahan & Samah Ibnou-Laaroussi, 2025. "The Role of Sustainability in Shaping Customer Perceptions at Farmers’ Markets: A Quantitative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-17, July.
    15. Erni Rusyani & Rambabu Lavuri & Ardi Gunardi, 2021. "Purchasing Eco-Sustainable Products: Interrelationship between Environmental Knowledge, Environmental Concern, Green Attitude, and Perceived Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-12, April.
    16. Xie Ling & Muhammad Faisal Shahzad & Zia ul Abrar & Jamshid Khan Khattak, 2021. "Determinants of the Intention to Purchase Branded Meat: Mediation of Brand Trust," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, July.
    17. Masoud Yazdanpanah & Maryam Tajeri Moghadam & Farhad Javan & Mojtaba Deghanpour & Stefan Sieber & Peyman Falsafi, 2022. "How rationality, morality, and fear shape willingness to carry out organic crop cultivation: a case study of farmers in southwestern Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 2145-2163, February.
    18. Joris Van Ouytsel & Michel Walrave & Mónica Ojeda & Rosario Del Rey & Koen Ponnet, 2020. "Adolescents’ Sexy Self-Presentation on Instagram: An Investigation of Their Posting Behavior Using a Prototype Willingness Model Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, November.
    19. D'Souza, Clare & Brouwer, Anne Renée & Singaraju, Stephen, 2022. "Veganism: Theory of planned behaviour, ethical concerns and the moderating role of catalytic experiences," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    20. Aistė Čapienė & Aušra Rūtelionė & Krzysztof Krukowski, 2022. "Engaging in Sustainable Consumption: Exploring the Influence of Environmental Attitudes, Values, Personal Norms, and Perceived Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:8969-:d:1767861. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.