Food shopping, preparation and consumption practices in times of COVID-19: case of Lebanon

Abstract

PurposeRight after announcing the first cases, several governments worldwide have implemented stringent measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. This disruption in individuals' daily routines transformed food consumption habits. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on food consumption, diet and food shopping behaviors in Lebanon.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws upon an online survey in Lebanon administered in Arabic and English through the Survey Monkey platform in the period of July 15—August 5, 2020, with 201 adults. The survey findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a paired sample t-test and a Phi correlation test.FindingsThe research underlined numerous key consumer tendencies that are currently affecting diet and food behavior in Lebanon. Indeed, the study outcomes suggested (1) a move toward healthier diets; (2) a rise in the consumption of domestic products due to food safety concerns; (3) a change in the grocery shopping behaviors (with a rise in online shopping); (4) a surge of food stockpiling; and (5) a decrease in household food wastage. Surprisingly, COVID-19 seems to generate several positive changes toward more sustainable and healthier consumption patterns in Lebanon.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings contribute to the clarification and critical analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on food behaviors in Lebanon, which would have several policy implications.Originality/valueThe findings of this first study contribute to the clarification and critical analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on food behaviors in Lebanon, which would have several policy implications.

Exploring Household Food Dynamics During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Morocco

“…These behavioral shifts may affect attitudes and behaviors related to food consumption (18). In this context, many articles show that the COVID-19 pandemic induced changes in food-related behaviors (19)(20)(21)(22). Indeed, the pandemic has influenced food access and shopping behavior (23), food consumption habits and diets (24)(25)(26)(27)(28), as well as food wastage behavior (29).…”

“…Indeed, the pandemic has influenced food access and shopping behavior (23), food consumption habits and diets (24)(25)(26)(27)(28), as well as food wastage behavior (29). However, the COVID-19 pandemic effects are not alike across countries (11,21,27,28,30). El Bilali (31) argues that the pandemic is significantly affecting developing countries and vulnerable groups.…”

Local food consumption during the covid-19 pandemic

“…This study enhanced the theoretical background of local and healthy food. First, several studies have argued that local food consumption is more important than ever, during the COVID-19 pandemic (Ben Hassen et al, 2021b;Cranfield, 2020;Duda-Chodak et al, 2020;Naja and Hamadeh, 2020;Rizou et al, 2020). Other studies have argued that this growth is because local food is safe, healthy, and accessible (Aprile et al, 2016;Arsil et al, 2018;Meyerding et al, 2019;Ozturk and Akoglu, 2020).…”

“…In this context of global breakdown and interruption of international transport, local food became the single viable alternative. Indeed, several studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed the growth of local food consumption amidst the pandemic (Ben Hassen et al, 2021b;Celimli and Adanacioglu, 2021;Duda-Chodak et al, 2020;Loiseau et al, 2020;Mesić et al, 2020). However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the factors driving this growth.…”

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“…Indeed, the pandemic had several impacts on diet and food behavior. Moreover, COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic that created a global economic and financial crisis (2), which is expected to seriously affect food access, diet quality, and diversity (9,10).…”