Food Purchases Research Articles

Digital and Green Behaviour: An Exploratory Study on Italian Consumers

This paper aimed to understand consumer behaviour based on different constructs of buying behaviour antecedents, which included attitudes towards social aspects, green values, the value placed on digital channels, and green advertisements. Through an online survey of 650 respondents, we investigated the characteristics that affect consumer behaviour in Italy. A structural equation modelling (SEM) method was then used to explore the effects of the identified constructs on people’s buying behaviour, as well as evaluate their relative importance. On the one hand, the findings showed that among the identified constructs, attitudes towards social aspects have a direct effect on eco-friendly consumption, while green values positively impact both buying behaviour and openness to green publicity. On the other hand, green publicity only shows a weak impact on buying behaviours, while peoples’ attitudes towards digital channels have a positive effect on both eco-friendly consumption and on buying behaviour. In other words, the results suggest that people’s digital propensity, paired with environmental sensibility, may affect the online purchase of sustainable food. In light of the above, these results should be important for makers and experts dealing with green products, particularly sellers. In fact, sellers and marketers should consider our results as insights into their segmentation, targeting, and positioning strategies in markets.

Fruitful changes? Exploring household fruit purchase decisions following comprehensive food policy regulations in Chile

Changes in unprocessed healthy food purchases associated with the implementation of comprehensive food policy remain understudied. This study analyzes whether, following the announcement, modification, and implementation of Chile's Food Labeling and Advertising law targeting highly processed food (occurring in 2012, 2015, and 2016, respectively), households improved their fruit purchase decisions: purchase participation (i.e., buying likelihood) and purchase quantity. Expenditure data from a representative sample of Chilean households were employed, covering two consecutive survey waves conducted in 2011/2012 and 2016/2017. After controlling for socioeconomic factors (e.g., prices and income), results indicate that only purchase participation increased, providing weak support for positive spillover effects of a comprehensive food policy on fruit purchases. Subsample analyses reveal that this increase was driven by college-educated, childless, and low-income households and was stronger for sweeter and more convenient fruits. Considering that households in Chile do not meet health recommendations for daily fruit intake, additional policy efforts targeting healthy, unprocessed food consumption could be considered.

Fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS methods of analysing online impulsive buying of organic food: A cognitive-affective decision-making perspective

Buying decisions are influenced by a variety of factors that can give rise to impulsive, unplanned, or even irrational purchases. Research has examined the motivational factors that foster organic food consumption, but no study has explored the relative weights of these factors and whether their effects vary depending on the type of food. This study adopted the cognitive-affective perspective to examine the antecedents of online impulsive buying of organic food using a sample of 452 consumers living in Baghdad, Iraq. The fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS methods were used to rank five organic food alternatives. The results revealed that the effects of cognitive factors on organic food purchases differ from those of affective factors.

Online shopping behaviour in the Northern and Southern Great Plain Regions

The aim of our study is to reveal the attitude of consumers related to online shopping, the advantages and disadvantages of online purchasing, the regional characteristics of purchasing food online. The literature review was carried out by a comparative analysis of the publications of the factors influencing the purchase decision, the advantages and disadvantages of using online channels as a priority. The secondary research, in addition to the changes in global and then Hungarian online retail, the FMCG sector and customer behavior. Primary research the survey was conducted using a standardized, structured, online questionnaire with the participation of students from the University of Debrecen and the Sándor Wekerle College of Business. The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents (623) were measured according to the defining characteristics of online shopping. The rate of online shopping by residents living in the Great Plains region is 6 percentage points lower than the national average, poor result in the online purchase of food. The advantages of online shopping, the importance of convenience and saving time is rated equally, while other factors, e.g. the assessment of home delivery was different. Diadvantages are the terms of payment and data security. The future intention to buy online is uncertain and they imagine it within limits, and the potential purchase can only be linked to durable foods. Region-specific and product-specific (food) analysis of online shopping. Attitudes towards online shopping, based on regional characteristics, justify the fact that it would be more appropriate for store chains to use a differentiated marketing strategy, which may primarily affect marketing communication and sales organization.

Harvest to basket: understanding drivers of organic food purchase behaviour through interpretive structural modelling and MICMAC approach

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the determinants impacting consumer behaviour in organic food consumption in Bangladesh. This study aims to identify the key factors facilitating organic food consumption and establish a framework by analysing their contextual relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe study used interpretive structural modelling (ISM), relying on expert perspectives from experienced academicians and marketing professionals. A Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement (MICMAC) analysis was performed to assess the driving forces and interdependencies among these determinants.FindingsThe MICMAC analysis grouped determinants influencing organic food purchases into four categories. The dependent factors, like attitude and food safety, showed moderate driving forces and high dependence. Linkage determinants, such as environmental concern and price, exerted considerable influence with moderate dependence. Independent variables, especially knowledge about organic food, had a strong impact with relatively low dependence.Practical implicationsThis study’s insights offer valuable guidance for managers in the organic food industry, providing strategies to address consumer behaviour. Prioritising education on environmental benefits, transparent pricing, collaborating on policies, ensuring food safety and understanding determinants impacting purchase intent can aid in designing effective marketing strategies and product offerings aligned with consumer needs, ultimately promoting sustainability.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the interconnections and relative significance of determinants influencing organic food purchases, using the ISM approach and MICMAC analysis. It delves into the previously unexplored territory of understanding the relationships and hierarchical significance of these determinants in shaping consumer behaviour towards organic food purchases.

Benefits and Difficulties of Implementing Family-Farming Food Purchases in the Brazilian National School Feeding Program.

Objectives: To explore the opinions of Brazilian National School Feeding Program (NSFP) nutritionists concerning the benefits and difficulties of implementing family-farming food purchases for the school feeding program. Methods: Exploratory and descriptive qualitative study conducted through the analysis of inductive content of open interviews carried out with technically responsible nutritionists of the School Feeding Program of 21 municipalities in Southern Brazil. Results: The qualitative analysis of the interviews resulted in 17 codes grouped into four categories that show the opinion of nutritionists on the benefits and difficulties of purchasing family-farming food: 1. increasing the visibility of rural areas and 2. improving the quality of food provided in school meals; 3. low product availability and 4. limited infrastructure for production and delivery. Conclusion: According to nutritionists, purchasing family-farming food in NSFP can increase the supply of healthy food in schools and stimulate rural development. However, efforts are needed to adjust institutional food demands for local food production and improve infrastructure for food production and distribution.

Using the Australian Dietary Guidelines 2&5 education message in supermarket shopping trolleys to nudge shoppers to purchase more fruit and vegetables: A feasibility study using an intervention design.

Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic diseases; however, only one in 16 Australian adults consume F&Vs at the recommended two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables per day. What and how much people eat is influenced by their social and physical environments. Supermarkets are a key setting influencing food purchases, and as such, they can shape consumption patterns of F&Vs. Implementing effective strategies to increase F&V intake is crucial. The objective of this research was to test the feasibility of modifying shopper purchasing behaviour to purchase more F&Vs using the Australian Dietary Guidelines 2&5 education message covering one-half of the base of shopping trolleys. Placards giving the message that eating 2 fruits and 5 vegetables every day for good health were placed at the base of shopping trolleys as an educational nudge. Applying an intervention research design, 30 out of ~100 trolleys were fitted with the placards and shopper purchases were measured by collecting paper sales receipts to measure the weight (kg), total spending and F&V-specific spending (Australian dollars) for intervention versus control trolleys for one Saturday. We also conducted a short intercept survey that was administered independently from the research study day on non-trial shoppers. Shoppers who selected trolleys with the 2&5 education nudge placards (n = 101) purchased 1.66 kg less weight of F&Vs (Intervention: mean = 3.89 kg, SD = 3.40 kg, 95% CI = 3.21 kg, 4.56 kg, vs. Control: mean 5.55 kg, SD = 4.16 kg, 95% CI = 4.73 kg, 6.37 kg, p = 0.002) and spent less on F&Vs compared to shoppers in the control group (n = 102; Intervention: mean = $26.00, SD = $21.60, 95% CI = $21.78, $30.32 vs. Control: mean $36.00, SD = $27.00, 95% CI = $30.72, $42.36, p = 0.004). Intervention group shoppers also spent less in total spending between groups (Intervention: mean = $115.40, SD = $68.30, 95% CI = $101.95, $128.95 vs. Control: mean $151.30, SD = $79.40, 95% CI = $135.73, $166.93, p = 0.001). The 2&5 education nudge placard had the opposite effect as intended on shoppers' purchases to buy more F&Vs, although there may have been other differences between the intervention and the control groups since they were not randomised. Larger studies are required to elucidate and confirm these findings over the longer term.

Contribution of Food from Market Purchases and Home Production to Child Nutrient Intake: Evidence from the EFFECTS Study Baseline Data

BackgroundChild undernutrition is prevalent in Tanzania, and households rely primarily on local markets and home production as food sources. However, little is known about the contribution of food market purchases to nutrient intakes among children consuming complementary foods. ObjectivesTo quantify the relationships between diversity of foods purchased and produced by households and adequate child nutrient intake in Mara, Tanzania. MethodsCross-sectional baseline dietary and household food source data from the Engaging Fathers for Effective Child Nutrition and Development in Tanzania study were collected from mothers of 586 children aged 9–23 mo clustered in 80 villages in Mara, Tanzania. We conducted mixed effects linear regressions to quantify the association between the diversity of foods consumed at home, from market purchases and home production, and nutrient intake adequacy (based on 24-h food recalls). ResultsChildren had inadequate diets, with fewer than half of children consuming adequate amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B9 (folate), calcium, iron, and zinc. Breastfeeding was associated with higher overall mean adequacy (b = 0.15–0.19 across models, P < 0.001). Diversity of foods purchased was positively associated with the intake of vitamin B12 and calcium (both P < 0.001); this effect was attenuated among breastfed children. Among nonbreastfed children, production diversity was positively associated with vitamin A intake (b=0.04; P < .05) but not with intake of other nutrients. ConclusionsBoth household food purchase and food production diversities were positively associated with children’s nutrient intake in rural Mara, Tanzania. Nutrition programming should consider the role of food markets in addition to home food production to improve child diets.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03759821, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03759821.

Promoting Healthier Purchases: Ultraprocessed Food Taxes and Minimally Processed Foods Subsidies for the Low Income

Fiscal policies can shift relative food prices to encourage the purchase and consumption of minimally processed foods while discouraging the purchase and consumption of unhealthy ultraprocessed foods, high in calories and nutrients of concern (sodium, sugar, and saturated fats), especially for low-income households. The 2017-2018 packaged food purchase data among U.S. households were used to derive household income- and composition-specific demand elasticities across 22 food and beverage categories. Policy simulations, conducted in 2022-2023, assessed the impact of national taxes on unhealthy ultraprocessed food and beverage purchases, both separately and alongside subsidies for minimally processed foods and beverages targeted to low-income households. Resultant nutritional implications are reported on the basis of changes in purchased calories and nutrients of concern. In addition, financial implications for both households and the federal government are projected. A sugar-based tax on sugar-sweetened beverages would lower both volume and calories purchased with the largest impact on low-income households without children. Meanwhile, targeted subsidies would increase fruit, vegetable, and healthier drink purchases without substantially increasing calories. Under tax simulations, low-income households would make larger reductions in their absolute volume and calorie purchases of taxed foods and beverages than their higher-income counterparts, suggesting that these policies, if implemented, could help narrow nutritional disparities. Levying national taxes on unhealthy ultraprocessed foods/beverages and offering targeted subsidies for minimally processed foods/beverages could promote healthier food choices among low-income households. Such policies have the potential to benefit low-income households financially and at a relatively low cost for the federal government annually.

Quantifying the greenhouse gas emissions of New Zealand households’ food purchases: An analysis by sociodemographic variables

New Zealand has committed to a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) from 2005 levels by 2030. Dietary changes within New Zealand could simultaneously improve population health and contribute towards the nation’s emissions reduction target, as agricultural emissions are estimated to account for half of New Zealand’s GHGEs(1). This research aimed to quantify the GHGEs associated with household purchases of major food groups in New Zealand and identify the sociodemographic characteristics that are associated with per capita household dietary emissions. Household dietary emissions were estimated using the NielsenIQ Homescan(R) consumer panel — a large sample of households within New Zealand who report purchasing data of take-home food and beverages. The sample is nationally representative in terms of broad geographical regions and selected key demographic characteristics. Carbon emission estimates were assigned to 1,908,485 total food and beverage purchases from 1,775 households over one year (2019) using a process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) dataset initially constructed in the United Kingdom (UK) and adapted for New Zealand(2). This LCA dataset contains estimates of greenhouse gas emissions generated over the life cycle of the production of food products from the following stages: farming and processing, transit packaging, consumer packaging, transport, warehouse and distribution, refrigeration, and overheads. Greenhouse gas emissions are expressed in kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per kg of food product over a 100-year time horizon. Total emissions from purchases of major food groups were then estimated. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationships between household variables and per capita dietary emissions. Overall purchases of red and processed meat (35%) and dairy products (19%) were responsible for the greatest proportion of emissions. The age group of the primary household shopper as well as household size were predictors of per capita dietary emissions — households with primary shoppers &gt; 65 years had, on average, 33% (95% CI: 20% to 49%) higher per capita dietary emissions, compared to households with primary shoppers 34 years; and every additional household member was associated with, on average, 11% (95% CI: 9% to 13%) lower per capita dietary emissions. We have shown in this large representative sample of New Zealand households that purchases of just two food groups — red and processed meat, and dairy — were responsible for approximately half of dietary greenhouse gas emissions. Larger households had lower per capita dietary greenhouse gas emissions, and older shoppers had relatively higher greenhouse gas emissions. Whilst similar associations have been reported elsewhere more research is needed to confirm these latter findings. With enhanced understanding of the observed association between age of a household’s primary shopper and per capita dietary emissions, interventions may be devised that encourage shoppers to purchase lower-emitting foods, particularly less meat and dairy.

Price, social life and proximity influence food choices: Engaging young people as co-researcher collaborators to better understand their surrounding school food environments

Food environments around secondary schools are a strong influence on adolescents’ food purchasing habits1. We conducted a repeat cross-sectional study using Google Street View to examine school food environments in regional and metropolitan NSW, Australia over 17-years. Findings showed that unhealthful food outlets such as fast-food franchises, consistently dominated school food environments over 2007-2023. Increasing levels of poor nutrition among youth has been raised as a concern2 by the Health Advisory Panel for Youth at the University of Sydney [HAPYUS] - an established group of 16 adolescents aged 13-18 years residing in NSW3. To gain further insight into the study findings and how it may impact adolescents’ health, it is critical to include voices of adolescents in this research. The aim of this sub-study was to engage with members of our youth advisory group and conduct a consultation exercise on these study findings, drawing upon their lived experiences of school food environments. In Aug-2023, we engaged four youth advisors from HAPYUS. Study authors provided an overview of the study and its findings to the youth advisors via a Zoom call. Youth advisors formulated a 500-word statement on their perspectives and lived experiences of food environments surrounding their high schools over the subsequent 4 weeks. Adolescents agreed that physical proximity to unhealthy food outlets around schools was a key contributor to unhealthy eating habits however also recognised social and economic factors which play a significant role in shaping poor diets. The following quotes from their combined statement reflect social and economic concerns: i) “[We] observed on a daily basis young people were opting to travel to the closest food court for fast food, or in some extreme cases, even order fast food via a meal delivery app, to be delivered to the school - as opposed to choosing the closest outlet” ii) “Overpriced foods in schools with some drinks costing 2x more than a heavily discounted KFC meal, no meaningful difference between foods sold at canteens and those sold at fast food outlets - heavily processed, packaged snacks, pre-made reheated foods” iii) “Most unhealthy food outlets choose a location that is not only close to schools but also close to major shopping centres and food courts… ideal for an after-school social catchup as it appears to accommodate the needs of a large group of people.” Consultation findings revealed the importance of social and economic factors that must be analysed in addition to adolescents’ physical proximity to food outlets around their schools. Youth advisors call for governments to take immediate action to implement policies that ensure schools have cheap and healthy foods at canteens to mitigate against the purchase of foods from nearby unhealthy food outlets.

Increasing food insecurity severity is associated with lower diet quality in Australian adults

Food insecurity, the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints, is a growing concern in high-income countries like Australia(1). Food insecure adults may have reduced diet quality due to constraints on food purchasing and consumption(2) but further research is needed to understand how the severity of food insecurity impacts diet quality in an Australian setting. This study aimed to examine the relationship between diet quality and increasing severity of household food insecurity using validated measurement tools. A cross-sectional, online survey of Australian adults (aged 18 years+) used the USDA Household Food Security Six-item Short Form to classify respondents as food secure or marginally, moderately, or severely food insecure. The Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS; score between 0–73) determined diet quality (ARFS total) and sub-scale scores for eight food groups(3), with higher scores indicating higher diet quality. Diet quality score results are further categorised as “needs work” (&lt;33), “getting there” (33-38), “excellent” (39-46) or “outstanding” (47+). Survey-weighted linear regression (adjusted for age, sex, income, education, location, household composition) analyses indicate that 45% of participants were living in households that experienced food insecurity, comprising 7% marginally, 18% moderately and 20% severely food insecure households. The ARFS total survey-weighted mean score for the whole sample (n = 804) was 32.4 (SD = 9.8). As the severity of household food insecurity increased, ARFS scores decreased. Marginally food insecure respondents reported a mean ARFS score three points lower than food-secure adults (B=-2.7; 95%CI [−5.11, −0.34]; p = 0.03), and scores reduced by six points for moderately (B=-5.6; 95%CI [−7.26, −3.90]; p&lt;0.001) and twelve points for severely food insecure respondents (B=-11.5; 95%CI [−13.21, −9.78]; p&lt;0.001). Marginally food insecure respondents had significantly lower vegetable sub-scale scores, moderately food insecure respondents had significantly lower sub-scale scores for all food groups except dairy, severely food insecure respondents had significantly lower scores for all sub-scale scores. Poorer diet quality is evident in adults living with any food insecurity but gets progressively worse as the severity of food insecurity increases. Interventions to reduce food insecurity and increase diet quality are required to prevent adverse nutrition-related health outcomes in food-insecure populations in Australia and beyond.

The Effects of an Educational Intervention About Front-of-Package Labeling on Food and Beverage Selection Among Children and Their Caregivers: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Overweight and obesity pose a global public health challenge and have a multifactorial origin. One of these factors includes obesogenic environments, which promote ultraprocessed foods characterized by being high in calories, saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium. In Mexico, it has been estimated that 30% of the total energy consumed comes from processed foods. The Modification to the Official Mexican Standards introduces nutritional information through black octagonal seals that alert consumers about products with excessive amounts of some components for a better food selection in the population. However, the effects of warning labels on processed food selection and purchases among children remain unknown. We aimed to evaluate the impact of a digital educational intervention focusing on front-of-package warning labels on the food selection and purchasing behavior of elementary schoolchildren and their caregivers. Children from 4 elementary schools in Mexico City, 2 public and 2 private schools, will participate in a randomized controlled trial. The schools will be chosen by simple random sampling. Schools will be randomized into 2 groups: intervention and control. In the control group, the dyads (caregiver-schoolchildren) will receive general nutritional education, and in the intervention group, they will receive guidance on reading labels and raising awareness about the impact of consuming ultraprocessed products on health. The educational intervention will be conducted via a website. Baseline measurements will be taken for both groups at 3 and 6 months. All participants will have access to an online store through the website, allowing them to engage in exercises for selecting and purchasing food and beverages. In addition, other measures will include a brief 5-question exam to evaluate theoretical understanding, a 24-hour reminder, a survey on food habits and consumption, application of a food preference scale, anthropometric measurements, and recording of school lunch choices. Registration and funding were authorized in 2022, and we will begin data collection in September 2024. Recruitment has not yet taken place, but the status of data analysis and expected results will be published in April 2025. The study is expected to contribute to evaluating whether reinforcing front-of-package warning labels with education enhances its effects and makes them more sustainable. Conducting this study will allow us to propose whether or not it is necessary to develop new intervention strategies related to front-of-package labeling for a better understanding of the population, improved food choices, and better health outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06102473; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06102473. PRR1-10.2196/54783.

The sports food buzz: Understanding consumption, motivations and perceptions in Australian adults

Sports foods are formulations of protein powders, carbohydrate gels and other nutrients such as creatine and pre work out, that are designed for athletes to provide additional nutrients for optimum performance(1). These contain specific amounts of nutritive substances not meant for non-athletes(2). However, over the last decade there has been a substantial increase in the availability, types, and sales of sports foods in mainstream retailers(3,4), likely driven by non-athlete consumption. Increased consumption could lead to nutrient intake above recommendations(5) or unwanted side effects (e.g. caffeine overload) due to consumption of multiple products(6). Little is known about the characteristics and motivations of non-athletes and it is important to understand the drivers of this increase, to ensure appropriate and safe consumption. This study aims to investigate characteristics and motivations, consumption patterns, exercise participation, reasons for product selection and perception of risks and side effects of non-athlete sports food consumers. In 2022, non-athlete Australian adults (18-65) completed a purpose designed online cross-sectional survey. Closed ended questions collected demographic characteristics, sports food consumption (type, frequency, amount, cost), exercise participation (type, frequency, duration), purchase location, recommendation source (friends, family social media) and use of packaging attributes (e.g. claims) to inform decision making. Open-ended questions captured reasons for consumption, perceptions of any risks and side effects experienced. Descriptive statistics were performed for participant characteristics and open-ended questions were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Participants (n = 307) were predominately female (56%), middle aged (45%), moderate income earners (53%) and tertiary educated (54%). Protein products were most consumed (powder 82%, bar 61%, snack 37%), with over two thirds (65%) consuming 2 or more products. Walking was the most frequent exercise performed (65%), supermarkets the most common purchase location (52%) and media the most frequent recommendation source (39%), with on-pack nutrition information being used by most respondents (95%) to inform product selection. Just over half (52%) stated perceived risks and more than a third (35%) reported experiencing side effects from sports food consumption. The main reasons for consuming sports foods were for protein intake, muscle recovery, stamina and energy. The key risks stated were kidney/liver/organ effects, caffeine overdose and gut/digestion problems. The main side effects reported were bloating, tingling, anxiety (jitters, shaking, trembling), nausea or stomach upsets. Despite the consumer characteristics and their stated awareness of the risks, and side effects experienced, they continue to consume sports foods for their many perceived benefits. This is potentially driven by on-pack nutrition information and claims, which appear particularly influential in purchasing. Previous research shows that on-pack information can be inaccurate, or misleading(4). Tighter regulation and enforcement would benefit non-athletes, ensuring safer and more informed consumption.

Effects of greenwashing on green purchase intention: the mediating role of green skepticism, green brand love and green brand loyalty

ABSTRACT This study examines how greenwashing effects customers’ intention to make environmentally friendly purchases, known as green purchase intention, and how green skepticism, green brand love, and green brand loyalty mediate this relationship. Using the Attitude-Behavior-Context theory as a framework, ten hypotheses were developed and tested with a sample of 348 Palestinian consumers who had purchased organic or green foods in the West Bank. The findings indicate that greenwashing has a negative impact on green purchase intention, and this relationship is mediated by green brand loyalty and love, but not by green skepticism. Green brand love and loyalty also significantly influence green purchase intention, while green skepticism does not. The study highlights the importance of reducing greenwashing to increase green purchase intention, brand love, and loyalty, and offers practical evidence to help practitioners address this issue. The results have implications for firms seeking to reduce skepticism and increase organic food purchases, with recommendations for future research in developing countries.

Online community group food purchasing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Food security, problems, and sustainability

The outbreak of the COVID-10 variant Omicron epidemic in Shanghai in 2022 had a huge impact on residents' food security. This study examines the roles, challenges, and sustainability of online community group food purchasing by analyzing survey data collected from 1168 households in Shanghai between March and May 2022, in the aftermath of COVID-19. This study demonstrates that online community group food purchasing played a crucial role in ensuring residents' food access and food security during the pandemic. However, this study also reveals that residents expressed concerns about the risk of epidemic transmission, food safety, increased prices, and difficulty in safeguarding rights. Only 21.5 % of residents are willing to continue using online community group purchasing. Based on the above conclusions, this study offers some suggestions.

Examining the nutrition and packaging of foods promoted as ‘Back to School’ products for children’s school lunchboxes

The local food environment plays an important role in food purchasing behaviours, and it is important to understand the how this context shapes the highly complex drivers of food choice for children and families. In Australia, children consume more than one-third of their total energy intake whilst at school(1), thus making the content of school lunchboxes an important target for nutrition promotion efforts. Supermarkets invest heavily in promoting food for inclusion in school lunchboxes, particularly in the ‘Back to School’ period, but little is known about the nutrition content or the packaging of the foods included in these promotions. This study aimed to examine the types and packaging of foods that are promoted by supermarkets as school lunchbox foods. Catalogues for six supermarket chains in Adelaide, South Australia were collected during the four weeks of January 2023, the window often described as the ‘Back to School’ period. An audit of the contents was conducted and items promoted specifically as ‘Back to School’ items were coded according to the type of food (fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains/cereals, protein or drinks), whether the items was packaged or unpackaged and the processing classification according to the NOVA criteria(2). Descriptive statistics were calculated. In the ‘Back to School’ period, each of the six supermarket chains produced 4 catalogues and items relating specifically to foods promoted for inclusion in school lunchboxes appeared in 18 of the 24 catalogues. A total of 151 food or drink items appeared in the ‘Back to School’ promotions in these catalogues, and 100% of these items were packaged; 29% were packaged in single-use plastic packaging, 25% were packaged in recyclable packaging and 46% were packaged in a combination of single-use plastic and recyclable packaging. In terms of foods, snack foods, including sweet (n = 32, 21%) and savoury (n = 21, 14%) snacks were highly represented (35% overall). Dairy products (n = 23, 15%), grains/cereal products (n = 23, 15%) and drinks (n = 20, 13%) were also featured, and spreads (e.g. vegemite, Nutella) appeared in 13% of catalogues (n = 12). Fruits (n = 8, 5%), vegetables (n = 3, 2%) and proteins (n = 5, 3%) did not appear in many catalogues. Seventeen (11%) foods were unprocessed, with 111 (74%) classified as ultra-processed foods. Supermarket catalogues promote ‘Back to School’ lunchbox foods that are overwhelmingly packaged and ultra-processed. Working with supermarkets to adapt the promotion of foods that are less packaged and less processed is an important step to improving the local food environment.

Examining digital influencers’ impact on customer's hedonic motivation, utilitarian motivation and purchase intention

The purpose of this study is to investigate how external factors influence people's intentions to buy food online. A survey was conducted using an online form that was widely distributed to people who follow digital influencers on social media, have made online food purchases, and live in Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi). The study was conducted to gather a more comprehensive view of consumer shopping behavior in Indonesia by combining trends, visual appeals, sales promotion, and information availability from digital influences in social media that impact customer motivation (hedonic and utilitarian) and customer purchase intention for food products online. The research results demonstrate a genuine relationship between digital influences and their impact on social networks as a new trend of the digital era. The study also proves that there is a positive relationship between the hedonistic motivation and the Utilitarian motivation on purchase intention. Moreover, the research shows that promotions carried out on different platforms from the sales platform can also have a significant impact on consumer motivation and purchasing intentions. Based on the research results, we recommend that food product sellers should consider using digital influences as promotional tools on social platforms. We recommend that future researchers investigate differences in shopping motivation based on different products or consumer market segments, especially in terms of external factors that trigger motivation to shop for food through digital activities.

Measuring Indonesian young consumers’ halal purchase intention of foreign-branded food products

This article is among the few focusing on halal young consumer behavior in Indonesia. The focus is to examine the topic of halal food product purchase intention. Here, we focus specifically on Muslim teenagers in Indonesia to explore whether they still hold on to the halal principle that most Muslims adhere to when consuming food. This research examine their halal awareness based on theory of planned behavior (TPB) theory and compare it to the previous publications so far. To reach this objective, we used quantitative methodology. Our data was acquired from 161 Indonesian young Muslim consumers. Furthermore, the variance-based structural equation modeling and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) research model were utilized. Our findings demonstrate that subjective norm and attitude are significant determinants of halal food buying intent. However, perceived behavioral control has not been established as a purchase intention component. Finally, this study provides additional research on halal consumer behavior, focusing on the empirical findings of young Indonesian consumers, especially seen from TPB perspective.

Household milk production, milk purchase and child nutrition:Panel data evidence from rural Uganda

The burden of low-quality diets and childhood undernutrition is widespread in rural areas in SubSaharan Africa, where households rely mostly on agriculture. Various empirical studies have shown the relative importance of the market, and hence food purchases, compared with farm diversification in raising dietary diversity. But are these findings applicable to all food markets? In the case of highly perishable milk, which characterises its production in rural Africa, and the low community ownership of cows, an important research question is whether milk is available in markets and whether milk purchases contribute to the nutrition of children in smallholder households. Using panel data from rural Uganda, we estimate conditional mixed-process models and find positive effects of both household milk production and milk purchases on height-for-age z-scores. We find that milk purchases and milk production are complements, and therefore a strategy combining increases in milk productivity, dairy market development and social protection programmes to increase economic access to milk markets could improve child nutrition.