Street food consumption in a Ghanaian Metropolis: The concerns determining consumption and non-consumption

Abstract

Street food is an important source of food and nutrition for most urban dwellers. However, there are many concerns associated with the street food trade. This study examined whether the concerns over street food differed among consumers and non-consumers of street food and to determine which concerns affected or played significant roles in whether one will consume or not. Consistent with the Attitude Behaviour Context Model, it was found that both consumers and non-consumers did not differ in their concerns over street food. However, on the issue of what accounts for one group consuming and the other not, it was noted that sociodemographic variables were not good predictors of street food consumption. Environmental, food safety, health and vendors concerns were good predictors of street food consumption, with the non-consumers being deterred by concerns over the environment, food safety and health while vendor concerns impacted on whether consumers will continue to patronise the services of street food vendors.