A survey of organic produce purchases and related attitudes of food cooperative shoppers

Abstract

We surveyed shoppers at a food cooperative in New York state to measure the relationship between organic produce purchases and attitudes related to pesticide use in agriculture, food costs, and other factors affecting produce buying. Two-fifths of the co-op shoppers surveyed usually or almost always purchased organically grown produce, and one-third were somewhat or very likely to pay 100 percent more than conventional produce for residue-free produce. Those who usually or almost always purchased organic produce were less concerned than other shoppers about price when they shop for produce, had higher levels of concern about food safety, and were less concerned about insects and surface blemishes on produce. There was no relationship between income and frequency of organic purchases. Most shoppers were concerned about pesticide residues in produce, but a high level of concern appeared necessary to affect the frequency of organic purchases. In their support of organic agriculture, respondents ranked environmental protection higher than consumer protection. Educators should emphasize both the environmental and food safety benefits of organic farming to consumers.

The character of demand in mature organic food markets: Great Britain and Denmark compared

“…In contrast, Jolly (1991), Ott (1990), Huang (1996), Goldman and Clancy (1991), Byrne et al (1991Byrne et al ( , 1994, Grunert and Kristensen (1995), Bjerke (1992), and Swanson and Lewis (1993), found that household size had no significant influence. Thompson and Kidwell (1998) and Land (1998) found that the presence of children in the household increased the probability of choosing organic products.…”

Personal determinants of organic food consumption: a review

“…The main consumption barriers for organic food found in literature are the relatively high price premium (Hill and Lynchehaun, 2002;Magnusson et al, 2001;Tregear et al, 1994;Batt and Giblett, 1999;Padel and Foster, 2005 Rodríguez et al, 2008;Zanoli and Naspetti, 2002;Hughner et al, 2007). Additional elements mentioned are uncertainty (Thøgersen, 2007a) or the lack of information, low knowledge (Padel and Foster, 2005;Makatouni, 2002;McEachern and McClean, 2002;Aarset et al, 2006), and lack of trust in the organic certification process (Padel and income seems to play a significant positive role in explaining organic food purchases in Europe, while in the USA several studies did not find this relation to be significant (Loureiro et al, 2001;Durham and Andrade, 2005;Onyango et al, 2007;Zepeda and Li, 2007;Jolly and Norris, 1991;Goldman and Clancy, 1991;Buzby and Skees, 1994;Wilkins and Hillers, 1994;Wolf, 2002). Studies in Canada (e.g.…”

A Study of the Consumer Motives which Influence the Purchase of Organic Food in Serbia

“…An analysis of the motives why consumers do not purchase organic products confirms that the price is the primary motive in many countries (Table 1). However, studies in different parts of the world reveal that certain groups are willing to pay premium price for organic products (Ekelund, 1990;Goldman and Clancy, 1991;Aguirre, 2011;Wolf, 2002, ODonovan andMcCarty, 2002;Aryal et al, 2009;. The willingness to pay a higher price for organic food depends on the type of product, frequency of purchase as well as the socio-demographic characteristics of the consumers.…”