Vegetable consumption patterns of urban farmers in community gardens in Emfuleni local municipality, Gauteng province of South Africa

Abstract

Lack of adequate vegetable consumption may contribute to micronutrient deficiency especially in developing countries where low intake of nutrient-dense animal products is common. Despite growing evidence that vegetable consumption is of great importance, only about 25.6% South Africans consume sufficient vegetables per day. This research was carried out to investigate the vegetable consumption patterns of urban farmers in Emfuleni Local Municipality, South Africa. The objectives were to determine reasons why urban farmers consume vegetables, vegetable intake patterns in a 24-hour recall,and factors influencing vegetable consumption patterns. The study was conducted in six (6)large townships of Emfuleni Local Municipality using a quantitative research approach and survey design. A sample of 254 urban farmers were randomly selected from 30 urban community gardens with a population of 418 farmers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured survey questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Program for the Social Sciences Version 23. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and ordered logistic regression model were explored to analyse the data. The results revealed that 96.1% and 93.3% of farmers in urban community gardens consumed vegetables as a relish and salad,respectively. Vegetables were mostly consumed during dinner because most respondents were physically present in the community gardens during the day. The results of the factors influencing vegetable consumption patterns showed that out of 10 independent variables chosen, only three (age group, level of education,and main source of income)were positive and statistically significant. The study, therefore, recommends that farmers should include vegetables in all three of their daily meals (breakfast, lunch,and dinner). Education in the form of training should be provided to the urban farmers to create awareness in the community about the importance of vegetable gardens and the consumption of vegetables across all age groups.

Factors affecting fruit and vegetable consumption and purchase behavior of adults in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid review

“…In four studies the highest intake or purchase of fruit, vegetables or combined FV was observed among men ( 28 , 35 , 40 , 48 ). No differences between men and women, neither for fruit, nor for vegetable consumption or purchase was observed in ten studies ( 29 , 32 , 42 , 50 , 53 , 55 , 57 , 60 , 62 , 73 ).…”

“…Twenty studies examined the role of education ( 29 – 32 , 35 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 50 , 52 – 54 , 56 , 62 , 64 , 67 , 73 , 76 , 79 , 80 ). Fourteen of these studies found that the frequency and quantity of fruit, vegetable and/or combined FV consumption and purchase increased with higher level of education ( 30 – 32 , 40 , 43 , 50 , 53 , 54 , 62 , 64 , 67 , 73 , 79 , 80 ). The majority of these studies referred to positive associations between education and fruit consumption for men and women ( 30 , 31 , 43 , 54 , 64 , 67 , 73 , 79 ).…”

“…The relevance of occupation or employment status was investigated in 14 studies ( 28 , 31 , 32 , 39 , 42 , 43 , 50 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 73 , 79 , 80 ). Nine of these found associations between different types of occupation and fruit, vegetable or combined FV consumption ( 28 , 31 , 39 , 43 , 50 , 53 , 54 , 73 , 79 ).…”

Innovative and Sustainable Food Production and Food Consumption Entrepreneurship: A Conceptual Recipe for Delivering Development Success in South Africa

“…Ideally, the levels of availability, accessibility, and affordability of food within vulnerable communities is a big food security issue in SA. Advancing the arguments raised by Queenan et al [42] in research addressing food consumption patterns and sustainability, other scholars argue that socially, physically, and economically food security is designed to combat hunger and malnutrition, which are major development problems affecting health and well-being in SA [2,[72][73][74][75]. Supporting these research arguments, FAO confirms that the high levels of food insecurity are a major challenge to SA, especially within vulnerable communities [11,76,77].…”

“…The research findings underscore the significant link between food production capacity, poor food consumption patterns, and poor human and economic development levels emerge. Consequently, these underdevelopment trends are responsible for perpetuating poverty, malnutrition, unemployment, crime, and poor quality of life among the disadvantaged local communities [4,43,44,75,77,80]. In a recent specific study associated with sustainability and food production, Queenan [42] argued that food production and food consumption systems are facing growing challenges associated with the zero hunger SDG.…”