Wasted Positive Intentions: The Role of Affection and Abundance on Household Food Waste

Abstract

This qualitative study, grounded theory oriented, identifies familial affection and preference for abundance as major drivers of wasted food in lower-middle income American families. These positive intentions provide an improved understanding of household food waste, a problem with high environmental impact and moral implications. Based on empirical data collected with twenty caregivers via in-depth interviews, observations, and analysis of photos, this study provides novel explanations, such as on how stockpiling comfort foods in abundance -a form of both boosting positive self-emotions and showing affection for kids -can promote more wasted food. Other antecedents identified include multiplicity of choices, convenience, procrastination and unplanned routines. In sum, this research identifies a negative outcome of affection and food abundance in the family context, while providing a theoretically relevant general framework to help understand the food waste phenomenon. Authors suggest increasing the awareness of nutritional gatekeepers through behavioral economics principles.

Sustainable Retailing – Influencing Consumer Behaviour on Food Waste

“…Packaging is a contributor to household food waste due to too much product packaged together and packaging that is difficult to empty (Williams et al , ). Evans () and Metcalfe et al () argue that there is no evidence to suggest that consumers are careless or callous about the food they throw away; for example, parents tend to generate food waste due to showing affection to their family by having an abundance of food (Porpino et al , ). However, influencing behaviour through multiple means is important in reducing an environmental harm, however unintentional (Young and Middlemiss, ).…”

Food waste matters - A systematic review of household food waste practices and their policy implications

“…This identity is characterized both by the desire to provide an abundance of food as well as the wish to serve food that is perceived to be "proper" (Graham-Rowe et al, 2014); through this, providers express affection and love to their family (Evans, 2011a;Porpino et al, 2016). Usually, food that is healthy and nutritious is considered "proper".…”

“…First, the 'good provider identity', which refers to the wish to be a 'good' parent or a 'good' partner, appears to be an important reason for food waste in both qualitative (Evans, 2011a;GrahamRowe et al, 2014;Porpino et al, 2016) and quantitative (Visschers et al, 2016) studies. This identity is characterized both by the desire to provide an abundance of food as well as the wish to serve food that is perceived to be "proper" (Graham-Rowe et al, 2014); through this, providers express affection and love to their family (Evans, 2011a;Porpino et al, 2016).…”

Wasting food is disgusting: Evidence from behavioral and neuroimaging study of moral judgment of food-wasting behavior

“…However, despite the prevalence of food-wasting behaviors, only recently has this problem been approached from a psychological perspective (Farr-Wharton, Choi, & Foth, 2014; Farr-Wharton, Foth, & Choi, 2014; Graham-Rowe, Jessop, & Sparks, 2015; Kallbekken & Sælen, 2013; Porpino, Wansink, & Parente, 2016; Schanes, Dobernig, & Gözet, 2018; Stancu, Haugaard, & Lähteenmäki, 2016). It has been found, for example, that the largest concerns regarding food-wasting in industrialized societies are of a financial nature (Graham-Rowe et al, 2015; Neff, Spiker, & Truant, 2015; Quested, Marsh, Stunell, & Parry, 2013).…”