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Exploring Sustainable Food Choices Factors and Purchasing Behavior in the Sustainable Development Goals Era in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Isabel Blanco-Penedo

    (Department of Clinical Sciences, SLU, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Javier García-Gudiño

    (Animal Welfare Program, IRTA, 17121 Monells, Spain)

  • Elena Angón

    (Animal Production, UCO, 14071 Córdoba, Spain)

  • José Manuel Perea

    (Animal Production, UCO, 14071 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Alfredo J. Escribano

    (Independent Researcher & Consultant, 10005 Cáceres, Spain)

  • Maria Font-i-Furnols

    (Food Quality and Technology Program, IRTA, 17121 Monells, Spain)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was (1) to investigate what consumers include within the concept of food sustainability and its link with sustainable consumption, by identifying meaningful consumer typologies from the concept of food sustainability and food choice factors framed by SDG 12, and (2) to know how different farm systems attributes affecting purchase behavior are associated with such typologies. Consumers from two Spanish regions (n = 403) answered a paper questionnaire to know their degree of knowledge of sustainability, and beliefs, behavior, attitudes and preferences towards food sustainability, and the importance given to product characteristics and shopping practices. A principal component analysis was conducted to identify groups with similar answers, to average some of the questions before the final analysis of variance, which includes demographic classes as fixed effects. A cluster analysis using the most representative questions identified two clusters. cluster 1 (68.4%) responded to more sustainability-related attributes, and cluster 2 (31.5%) presented a less-expanded concept of sustainability. The origin of the product and quality certification (local, organic) was important for food purchase practices. The place of residence and gender differences of the consumers were the most influential factors. In the conjoint study, regarding the purchase of Iberian pork, cluster 1 remained unwilling to sacrifice outdoor systems and local breed at the expense of the price, in the case of the Iberian pig production. The most important demographic differentiator was the region of residence of the consumer. In conclusion, consumers are not aware of the wider aspects included in the sustainability concept. Moreover, the concept of sustainability elicits different meanings to the segments of the consumers identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel Blanco-Penedo & Javier García-Gudiño & Elena Angón & José Manuel Perea & Alfredo J. Escribano & Maria Font-i-Furnols, 2021. "Exploring Sustainable Food Choices Factors and Purchasing Behavior in the Sustainable Development Goals Era in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7397-:d:587027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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