The Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies of Adults Following a Local Food Diet

Abstract

Supported in part by a variety of popular books, websites, and other media, the interest in local food is building dramatically, and a growing number of people are increasing their purchases of local food. This paper describes a study that explored the perceived benefits and challenges of following a diet consisting exclusively of local food in southwestern Virginia, as well as the strategies for coping with its limitations. Nineteen individuals participated in a four-week Local Food Diet Challenge, which included eating only foods produced from within 100 miles of the participants' homes. a larger study looking at the nutritional impacts of a local food diet, this study included a pre-diet questionnaire that gathered participants' demographic characteristics, shopping patterns, eating behaviors, and attitudes toward local foods; consumption-reporting forms during the diet period; and a post-diet focus-group discussion for participants to share their experiences in following the local food diet. In this paper we report the major themes that emerged in the focus groups and offer recommendations for locavores and organizations attempting to maximize local food consumption.

The mindful consumer: Balancing egoistic and altruistic motivations to purchase local food

“…In line with previous studies of local food consumption, the findings of this study reveal that Australian consumers are concerned with egoistic motivations related to their health and personal well-being (Byker et al, 2010;Weatherell et al, 2003) as well as issues of food safety (Peters et al, 2008). Egoistic motivations were found to be positively associated with favourable beliefs toward purchasing local foods, interest in traceability of food, and with propensity to buy local food.…”

The Importance of the Occupational Factors in Local Food Consumption Behavior

“…Numerous books, magazines, TV programs, and newspaper articles seem to give this trend a direction in particular. As a matter of fact, from the recent times to today, dozens of books on local dietary lists and human histories that have spent years on these diets continue to be on the shelves (Byker, Rose, & Serrano, 2010).…”

Marketing Power Berries: An Importance-Performance Analysis of Blueberry

“…In two studies, consumers were found to be willing to pay a price premium for locally-produced food (Carpio & Isengildina-Mass, 2008;Ruth & Rumble, 2015). Local food has been reported to be perceived as having higher quality based on search and experience attributes such as freshness and taste (Byker, Rose, & Serrano, 2010;Chambers, Lobb, Butler, Harvey & Traill, 2007;Dentoni et al, 2009;Goodwin, 2013;Zepeda & Leviten-Reid, 2004). Researchers have reported that consumers believed local food has credence qualities of supporting local producers, supporting the local economy, as well as being environmentally friendly (Darby, Batte, Ernst, & Roe, 2008;Nimon & Beghin 1999;Loureiro, McCluskey, & Mittelhammer, 2002;Thilmany, Bond, & Bond, 2008).…”