The effects of indication of local geographical origin on food perceptions

Abstract

This research examines the impact of a local origin label on perceptions and purchase intent regarding food products. It also reveals the psychological mechanism specific to local origin to explain these effects. Two experiments, conducted on a total of 632 consumers, show that cheese (Study 1) and apples (Study 2) are perceived as healthier, better tasting, and more respectful of the environment and the work of farmers when they are presented as local foods (as opposed to national or from another “region”). Purchase intention is also higher when products are labeled as locally sourced. Study 2 shows that these effects can be explained by construal level theory. Local produce is perceived as spatially and psychologically closer by the consumer, who can thus picture more specifically how it was grown and prepared, and this in turn positively influences perceptions and purchase intent. These effects are measured on products that are not typical of the territory. They persist regardless of the degree of local identity of the person evaluating the product.

Green consumption in Vietnam: Effects of eco-certification, brand, and moderate incongruity of their origins on purchase intent

“…Organic milk is a high-involvement food in Vietnam. Previous literature indicated that consumers generally express higher trust toward local food, especially when they are organic (Merle et al, 2016). Organic food is perishable, and spoilage would be a concern in the case of foreign products with high food miles.…”

Active Transportation Decision-Making against the Background of Air Quality Information Provision: Walking Route Preferences of German Residents

“…The findings thus contribute to Construal Level Theory and psychological distance. Not only engagement in fighting climate change [19], perceiving threats from diseases [20], and avoiding indulging in unhealthy food choices [21], as shown in previous studies, but also intentions to walk in good air depend on psychological distance. But why did the temporal, social, and certainty-related dimensions of psychological distance not produce similar effects?…”

“…Individuals should then feel more psychologically close to air quality matters. Furthermore, psychological closeness (but not distance) positively relates to pro-health and pro-environmental actions [19][20][21]. Thus, the higher the psychological distance is, the less likely it will be that individuals would choose the longer walking route through green space (over a shorter route with a higher traffic density).…”

Community Supported Agriculture as a Driver of Food-Related Well-Being

“…Interestingly, consuming local food affects social well-being; local products contribute to social cohesion and maintain family-like social ties [19,65]. Buying local food provides space for a sense of community by fostering interaction with producers or other like-minded consumers [66].…”