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Consumption Behavior and Residential Food Waste during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak in Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Valentina Gomes Haensel Schmitt

    (Graduate School, Universidad de Lima, Santiago de Surco 15023, Peru)

  • Mirza Marvel Cequea

    (Business Management Department, Universidad de Piura, Piura 20009, Peru)

  • Jessika Milagros Vásquez Neyra

    (International Business Department and Graduate School, Universidad de Lima, Lima 15023, Peru)

  • Marcos Ferasso

    (Institute of Scientific Research and Graduate School, Universidad de Lima, Lima 15023, Peru)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to look into the self-reported food consumption and wastage behavior in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the motivations to prevent this waste. The data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Brazil, May 2020, using a self-administered questionnaire with 60 questions on food consumption behavior and characterization of food waste behaviors. The target audience comprised Brazilian residents responsible for household food purchases; out of 489 responses, 458 were considered valid. The main findings reported that regarding consumption behavior, there are no significant differences in relation to gender, education, and age. The surveyed population preferred shopping in person, despite the recommendation of social distancing, and reported activities to avoid food waste. This behavior suggests the importance of information and consumers’ education in making purchases and reducing waste, mainly amidst a crisis. The results suggest that intention to reduce waste, routines of food purchase in sales and management routines of leftovers or uneaten food are positively related to reducing the economic value of food waste. As a practical contribution, this study expands the understanding in one Latin American country regarding food consumption and wastage. The theoretical contribution leads to understanding of the behavior in times of crisis such as a pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentina Gomes Haensel Schmitt & Mirza Marvel Cequea & Jessika Milagros Vásquez Neyra & Marcos Ferasso, 2021. "Consumption Behavior and Residential Food Waste during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3702-:d:524689
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    2. Giulia Borghesi & Piergiuseppe Morone, 2023. "A review of the effects of COVID-19 on food waste," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(1), pages 261-280, February.
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    5. Janet Music & Sylvain Charlebois & Louise Spiteri & Shannon Farrell & Alysha Griffin, 2021. "Increases in Household Food Waste in Canada as a Result of COVID-19: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-11, November.
    6. Çavuşa, Osman & Bayhan, Isa & Ismail, Balarabe B., 2022. "An Overview of the Effect of Covid-19 on Household Food Waste: How Does the Pandemic Affect Food Waste at the Household Level?," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 13(01), January.
    7. Wojciech Trzebiński & Radosław Baran & Beata Marciniak, 2021. "Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Make Consumers Shop Alone? The Role of Emotions and Interdependent Self-Construal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    8. Mario Amato & Fabio Verneau & Adele Coppola & Francesco La Barbera, 2021. "Domestic Food Waste and Covid-19 Concern: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-12, July.
    9. Shankar, Amit & Dhir, Amandeep & Talwar, Shalini & Islam, Nazrul & Sharma, Piyush, 2022. "Balancing food waste and sustainability goals in online food delivery: Towards a comprehensive conceptual framework," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    10. Andrea Maugeri & Martina Barchitta & Vanessa Perticone & Antonella Agodi, 2023. "How COVID-19 Pandemic Has Influenced Public Interest in Foods: A Google Trends Analysis of Italian Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.

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