Title: Evaluating consumer beliefs for traditional and localised foodstuff under economic stress

Authors: George Vlontzos; Marie-Noelle Duquenne; Spyros Niavis

Addresses: Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Fytoko, 38446 Volos, Greece ' Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece ' Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to examine the changes on food consumption patterns of households, following an economic crisis and recession. This paper identifies objective and subjective factors influencing consumers to purchase, or not, traditional and localised food. Furthermore, an impact assessment based on environmental and social criteria for food selection, like locality of production and healthy nutrition habits is conducted. Quite enlightening is the research on the spatial basis. The results of this approach signify the different consumption trends dominating the urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. There are also some implications for marketing and public policy makers to further strengthen consumption of traditional and locally produced foodstuffs, such as promotion of their nutritional characteristics, support of local economies, encouragement for adoption of healthy eating by children, as well as enjoyment of cooking.

Keywords: traditional food; food safety; local production; consumer beliefs; localised foodstuffs; food consumption patterns; economic crisis; recession; environmental criteria; social criteria; food selection; healthy nutrition habits; urban areas; semi-urban areas; rural areas; marketing; public policy; healthy eating.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2016.081995

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2016 Vol.2 No.2/3/4, pp.174 - 192

Received: 14 May 2016
Accepted: 12 Sep 2016
Published online: 31 Jan 2017 *

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