Food Retail Research Articles

Intake of Snacks and Sweets in a National Study of Built and Social Environments: the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Study

BackgroundFew national studies across the United States’ rural-urban continuum examine neighborhood effects on snacks and sweets intake among adults. ObjectivesThis study examines associations of urbanicity/rurality-tailored measures of food store availability and neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) with the intake of snacks and sweets in a national sample of middle and older age adults. MethodsThis cross-sectional study used food frequency questionnaire data collected in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study (N = 21,204). What We Eat in America food group categorizations guided outcome classification into 1 main category (total snacks and sweets) and 4 subcategories (savory snacks and crackers; sweet bakery products; candy and desserts; nutrition bars and low-fat snacks and sweets). NSES and food store availability were determined using geographic information systems. Food store availability was characterized as geographic access to primary food stores (e.g., supermarkets, supercenters, and select food retailers) in urbanicity/rurality-tailored neighborhood-based buffers. Multiple linear regression was used to predict each outcome. ResultsLiving in neighborhoods with a high density of primary food stores was associated with 8.6%, 9.5%, and 5.8% lower intake of total snacks and sweets, sweet bakery products, and candy and desserts, respectively. Living in the highest NSES quartile was associated with 11.3%, 5.8%, and 18.9% lower intake of total snacks and sweets, savory snacks and crackers, and sweet bakery products, respectively. Depending on primary food store availability, higher household income was associated with significantly greater intake of nutrition bars and low-fat snacks and sweets. Living in a United States Department of Agriculture-defined food desert was not associated with intake. ConclusionsIn a geographically diverse sample of middle and older age United States adults, living in neighborhoods with no primary food stores or neighborhoods of low-SES was associated with higher intake of total snacks and sweets and subgroups of snacks and sweets.

Collusion and Price Behavior in the U.S. Pork Industry

Abstract This research analyzes the U.S. pork industry dynamics in light of the alleged output price-fixing cartel of the largest pork processors revealed in the antitrust lawsuits filed by pork buyers beginning in 2018. The empirical evidence may suggest that pork production, the farm, wholesale, and retail values of pork, and marketing margins increased, but the farm sector share decreased in the cartel period (2009–2019), as compared with the pre-cartel period (1998–2008). The wholesale pork pricing by pork processors is consistent with oligopoly pricing in both the pre-cartel and cartel periods. While the estimated decrease in cost pass-through between these two periods may reflect an increase in the seller (oligopoly) market power of pork processors in the cartel period, this cost pass-through decrease is not statistically significant from zero. The retail pork pricing by food retailers is consistent with perfectly competitive pricing in both the pre-cartel and cartel periods.

Losing Ground: Measuring the Welfare Effects of Retail Food Price Inflation during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mexican Household

Abstract As worldwide food prices rise, there is a growing interest in understanding the effect of these increases on households. Building on previous work, while applying recent methodological advances, we focus our attention on México during the COVID-19 pandemic. We document these price escalations for a basket of foods representative of Mexican households’ diets. The price increases are substantial across the basket, ranging from 20 percent in meat to 40 percent in tortilla. Using these estimates, we calculate the welfare effect from the recent food price escalation to cost households $17.07 billion annually, close to 1.5 percent of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product in 2020. We estimate households would need to increase their food expenditure budgets by 28.66 percent, the compensating variation, to achieve pre-price increase utility levels.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on some fiscal and monetary indicators in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on some fiscal and monetary indicators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachThe research relied on data, studies and reports issued by the International Monetary Fund, Arab Monetary Fund, Saudi Central Bank, Investing Website and the World in Data Website.FindingsMany sectors have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which outbreak has been associated with a high cost, in addition to increased inflation and prices, a result that was confirmed by the increase in consumer price indices for different sectors. The general consumer price index for the second period rose above that of the first period, while an upward shift occurred in the curve depicting the Saudi Riyal exchange rate against the United States (US) dollar during the second period above that of the first period, only in slope, due to outbreak of the pandemic. Impact of the number of daily new cases infected with COVID-19 was the highest on the opening and closing price indices of the food retail sector, the pharmaceutical sector and the transportation sector; while impact of the number of daily deaths by COVID-19 was the highest on the opening and closing price indices of the banking sector, the general index and the investment and finance sector. In addition, impact of the daily reproduction rate of COVID-19 was the highest on the opening price indices of the energy sector, the food production sector and the transportation sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe research aims to demonstrate measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through fiscal and monetary policies.Practical implicationsThe COVID-19 pandemic is still an ongoing global pandemic. The virus was first identified in Wuhan City in China at the beginning of December 2019. At the end of January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the outbreak of the virus represented a public health emergency, and later, on March 11, 2020, WHO declared the situation had transformed into a pandemic. Until January 17, 2022, the pandemic had caused more than 328 million cases and 545 million deaths, while 188 million of the cases had recovered. It is worth mentioning that the pandemic caused several social and economic disruptions, including a global economic recession; shortages in goods, supplies and equipment due to consumers' panic and thus tendency to buy; besides causing other disruptions like the negative impacts on health, as well as political, cultural, religious and sport events that influenced economic policies, including both the fiscal and monetary policies of world countries (Wikipedia, 2022).Social implicationsSocial implications steps that taken to reduce the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to measuring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (as the main event next to which other events fade up) on some of the fiscal and monetary indicators for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Originality/valueThe research aims to demonstrate measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to measuring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (as the main event next to which other events fade up) on some of the fiscal and monetary indicators for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Association between density of food retailers and fitness centers and gestational diabetes mellitus in Eastern Massachusetts, USA: population-based study

Few studies have investigated the relationship between the food and physical activity environment and odds of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study quantifies the association between densities of several types of food establishments and fitness centers with the odds of having GDM. The density of supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, full-service restaurants, convenience stores and fitness centers at 500, 1000 and 1500m (m) buffers was counted at residential addresses of 68,779 pregnant individuals from Eastern Massachusetts during 2000-2016. The 'healthy food index' assessed the relative availability of healthy (supermarkets) vs unhealthy (fast-food restaurants, convenience stores) food retailers. Multivariable logistic regression quantified the cross-sectional association between exposure variables and the odds of having GDM, adjusting for individual and area-level characteristics. Effect modification by area-level socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed. In fully adjusted models, pregnant individuals living in the highest density tertile of fast-food restaurants had higher GDM odds compared to those living in the lowest density tertile (500m: odds ratio (OR):1.17 95% CI: [1.04, 1.31]; 1000m: 1.33 95% CI: [1.15, 1.53]); 1500m: 1.18 95% CI: [1.01, 1.38]). Greater residential density of supermarkets was associated with lower odds of GDM (1000m: 0.86 95% CI: [0.74, 0.99]; 1500m: 0.86 95% CI: [0.72, 1.01]). Similarly, living in the highest fitness center density tertile was associated with decreased GDM odds (500m:0.87 95% CI: [0.76, 0.99]; 1500m: 0.89 95% CI: [0.79, 1.01]). There was no evidence of effect modification by SES and no association found between the healthy food index and GDM odds. In Eastern Massachusetts, living near a greater density of fast-food establishments was associated with higher GDM odds. Greater residential access to supermarkets and fitness centers was associated with lower the odds of having GDM. NIH.

Fruta Feia cooperative: Examining the influence of income on sustainability value and agency among alternative food network consumers

Alternative Food Networks gain increasing importance in sustainability transitions of food production, retail, and consumption. This paper explores the role of AFN consumers as critical food sustainability change agents, with a special focus on low-income consumers. It challenges preconceived notions that associate sustainable living exclusively with affluent communities, highlighting the substantial influence of economically disadvantaged individuals in shaping sustainable food consumption patterns. Based on a survey of the Portuguese Fruta Feia cooperative, the paper examines how perceived income affects sustainable food values, decisions, and practices. Results highlight low-income consumers' significant, yet often overlooked, role in driving changes towards environmentally responsible food systems and practices. This research shifts the focus of sustainability change agency, underscoring the critical role of diverse, particularly financially disadvantaged, consumer groups in championing sustainability in the food sector. It also confirms the importance of AFNs and their members as critical transition stakeholders.

Steering through the storm: a process framework to guide purchasing and supply managers in navigating low-probability-high-impact disruptions

PurposeThis study seeks to explore the strategies purchasing and supply managers can employ to navigate the challenges presented by low-probability-high-impact (LPHI) disruptions. The core aim is to create a process framework that provides a systematic, step-by-step method to help purchasing and supply managers effectively deal with the chaos triggered by LPHI events.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on qualitative data collected from eight firms operating within different industries (healthcare, fishing, food retail and manufacturing), where two firms represented each industry. The data underwent a thorough analytical process involving open coding, axial coding and aggregation of categories, resulting in the identification and formulation of overarching themes.FindingsThe analysis unveiled five primary challenges purchasing and supply management (PSM) encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include supply shortages, supplier opportunism, the imperative to build a new supply base, price volatility and the need to make critical decisions based on limited information. It also identified contingent factors that influenced the magnitude of these challenges and approaches applied to address them. Additionally, it identified five responses to the challenges and two contingent factors that affected the responses.Originality/valueThis study extends the existing body of knowledge in purchasing and supply management by developing a process framework tailored to assist purchasing and supply managers in effectively addressing LPHI disruptions. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to offer a structured, step-by-step approach that guides PSM professionals in navigating the chaos likely to be caused by such events.

A one health approach for monitoring antimicrobial resistance: developing a national freshwater pilot effort.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a world-wide public health threat that is projected to lead to 10 million annual deaths globally by 2050. The AMR public health issue has led to the development of action plans to combat AMR, including improved antimicrobial stewardship, development of new antimicrobials, and advanced monitoring. The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) led by the United States (U.S) Food and Drug Administration along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of Agriculture has monitored antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail meats, humans, and food animals since the mid 1990's. NARMS is currently exploring an integrated One Health monitoring model recognizing that human, animal, plant, and environmental systems are linked to public health. Since 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has led an interagency NARMS environmental working group (EWG) to implement a surface water AMR monitoring program (SWAM) at watershed and national scales. The NARMS EWG divided the development of the environmental monitoring effort into five areas: (i) defining objectives and questions, (ii) designing study/sampling design, (iii) selecting AMR indicators, (iv) establishing analytical methods, and (v) developing data management/analytics/metadata plans. For each of these areas, the consensus among the scientific community and literature was reviewed and carefully considered prior to the development of this environmental monitoring program. The data produced from the SWAM effort will help develop robust surface water monitoring programs with the goal of assessing public health risks associated with AMR pathogens in surface water (e.g., recreational water exposures), provide a comprehensive picture of how resistant strains are related spatially and temporally within a watershed, and help assess how anthropogenic drivers and intervention strategies impact the transmission of AMR within human, animal, and environmental systems.

Health and Wellness Food Products : A Retailers' Perspective

Health and wellness food products have emerged as a pivotal category within the food and beverage industry, driven by the growing consumer emphasis on a nutritive diet and a sustainable lifestyle. This marked shift towards health-conscious consumption patterns reflects a global movement towards preventive healthcare, where individuals are more invested in the nutritional quality and health benefits of their food choices. The increasing consumer focus on health and wellness has prompted a significant shift in the retail food industry. This paper explores the perspectives of retail stakeholders on wellness foods, examining how demographic factors such as age, gender, education, geographic location, and the roles within the retail industry influence decision-making processes related to the stocking and promotion of such products. Through a survey-based study with a diverse group of retail professionals, researcher analyzed trends in sales, marketing strategies, and consumer demand for wellness foods. Researcher also investigates the dynamics between different income levels and their impact on the opinions and actions of retail representatives. Researcher’s findings provide a comprehensive overview of the current market, highlighting the challenges retailers face and the opportunities they perceive in the realm of wellness foods. This research not only contributes valuable insights for academic understanding but also serves as a strategic guide for retailers looking to navigate the evolving landscape of health-oriented consumerism.

Assessment of sodium levels in Portuguese supermarket foods: A global benchmark perspective

This study aims to compare the sodium content of foods sold in a market-leading Portuguese food retail company with global Sodium Benchmarks (SB). The labelled salt content of foods sold in 2020 and 2021 was collected in-store using photographs, except for white-label brand products for which a database was provided. Descriptive statistics were used: the median, minimum, and maximum sodium content (mg/100 g), the percentage of products above the SB, and the percentual difference between median sodium content and the benchmark by subcategory. From the 4086 products, a total of 62.7% exceeded the benchmark. From the 64 subcategories, 46 subcategories showed a median sodium content higher than the SB. A total of 16 subcategories showed lower median sodium content than the SB. No difference was observed for two subcategories. The percentual difference between the median sodium content and the SB ranged from −96% for “Minimally processed breakfast cereals” and + 715% for “Processed fish/seafood products, non-heat-treated”. The results showed an excessive sodium content for most products. This study contributes to defining priority food groups regarding salt reformulation by performing a stratified analysis by subcategory.

Mapping the Dynamics of the Vertical Farm: A Biopolitical Epistemology of Valuation

ABSTRACT In early 2020, Sobeys—one of Canada’s largest food retailers—partnered with Infarm Indoor Vertical Farming to install hydroponic vertical farming units in their retail locations. This partnership aims to build a resilient agri-food ecosystem in the face of climate change. Infarm is one of few vertical farming start-ups to reach ‘unicorn’ status in the recent boom of venture capital-backed urban farming solutions. Working to mitigate the climate crisis is critical, but I take venture capital as the spokesperson for green technologies as intuitively strange. Actor-network theory is a powerful tool for describing networks in which modern technical objects are embedded. By mapping the nodes of Infarm’s actor-network and analyzing how and by what the expertise of a ‘black-boxed’ vertical farm is negotiated, we can identify obligatory points of passage that render the epistemology of the network durable. Ultimately, Infarm’s vertical farming practice and its climate change mitigation logics are moulded by venture capital and its biopolitical epistemology of valuation—a way of thinking that conceptualizes ‘life’, biology and, therefore, the climate in terms of political economy.

The role of digital platforms in e-commerce food supply chain resilience under exogenous disruptions

PurposeOperational risks can cause considerable, atypical disturbances and impact food supply chain (SC) resilience. Indicatively, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in the UK food services as nationwide stockouts led to unprecedented discrepancies between retail and home-delivery supply capacity and demand. To this effect, this study aims to examine the emergence of digital platforms as an innovative instrument for food SC resilience in severe market disruptions.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive multiple case-study approach was used to unravel how different generations of e-commerce food service providers, i.e. established and emergent, responded to the need for more resilient operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsSC disruption management for high-impact low-frequency events requires analysing four research elements: platformisation, structural variety, process flexibility and system resource efficiency. Established e-commerce food operators use partner onboarding and local waste valorisation to enhance resilience. Instead, emergent e-commerce food providers leverage localised rapid upscaling and product personalisation.Practical implicationsDigital food platforms offer a highly customisable, multisided digital marketplace wherein platform members may aggregate product offerings and customers, thus sharing value throughout the network. Platform-induced disintermediation allows bidirectional flows of data and information among SC partners, ensuring compliance and safety in the food retail sector.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the SC configuration and resilience literature by investigating the interrelationship among platformisation, structural variety, process flexibility and system resource efficiency for safe and resilient food provision within exogenously disrupted environments.

'Uma das coisas que mais agrega valor é o orgânico’ – Novas trajetórias e singularidades no mercado dos produtos orgânicos

As they were regulated and institutionalized, organic products took on new trajectories and meanings with the emergence of a more varied market focusing on specific audiences and new qualification references. In this paper we investigate some of the new meanings and different qualifications organic products have assumed by analyzing their new trajectories and singularities within an increasingly flexible and dynamic market containing wider and more heterogeneous range of actors and distinct products that circulate around the organic concept but are neither rigidly defined by or dependent upon this meaning. Using data from primary and secondary sources on how these products were singularized, we attempt to demonstrate that throughout the process of regulating and institutionalizing organic products, “organic” has not only become commodified but also assumed other overlapping meanings, with this characteristic potentially becoming less central or products even ceasing altogether to be organic. In our analysis we highlight trade fairs that focus on these products, their entry into large food companies and retailers, ultra-processed organic products, and how they approximate other qualification references (such as the concepts of vegan, diet, and light).

A study on commodity pricing and sales optimization based on linear programming model: a case of vegetable category

In the fresh food retail industry, vegetable commodities require daily replenishment decisions based on historical sales and demand due to their short freshness period and susceptibility to quality. In this paper, the sales volume, wholesale price and unit price of each category are first extracted, and the cost-plus ratio and related data are calculated. The relationship between the sales volume of each category and the cost markup rate is analyzed through linear regression, and it is concluded that the sales volume of most categories decreases with the increase of the markup rate, and through the distribution of the scatter plot of the total sales volume of the vegetable category and the markup rate, it can be seen that there is a negative correlation between the total sales volume of the vegetable category and the cost markup pricing, and then through the establishment of the optimization model and the prediction of the sales volume of each category for the coming week, the wholesale price and the related data, and the profits are used to Pricing to ensure revenue at the maximum markup rate to develop the total daily capture and pricing strategy for the coming week.

Fast Changes in Food Retailing Due to the Impact of COVID-19

Fast Changes in Food Retailing Due to the Impact of COVID-19

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food availability and affordability: an interrupted time series analysis in Ghana

BackgroundIn Africa, approx. 675 million people were at risk of food insecurity. COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have exacerbated this situation, by damaging populations’ access to and affordability of foods. This study is aimed at estimating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on availability and prices of essential food commodities at 20 large markets in Ghana.MethodsData on food availability and food retail prices collected through weekly market-level data during the period from July 2017 to September 2020 were used in this study. We performed interrupted time-series analyses and estimated the percentage increases between the observed and predicted food prices by food group and by region to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food prices.ResultsAs a result, the impact of COVID-19 on food availability was limited. However, the results of interrupted time-series analyses indicate a significant increase in overall mean food prices in Greater Accra, Eastern and Upper East regions. It was also found that mean price of starchy roots, tubers and plantains significantly increased across regions.DiscussionThe impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food availability and prices was significant but varied by food type and regions in Ghana. Continuous monitoring and responses are critical to maintain food availability and affordability.

Online food delivery services: cross-sectional study of consumers’ attitude in Malaysia during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysian consumers were more likely to purchase food online and have it delivered to their doorstep. To stay afloat, many restaurants were pushed to provide online food delivery services (OFDS), and this sector has grown tremendously. However, will the trend persist after the pandemic? This study aims to look into how consumers’ perceptions of OFDS affect their attitude towards them. It investigates the relationship between convenience motivation, perceived ease of use, time-saving orientation and price-saving orientation in terms of future intent to use OFDS. Method Primary data was collected from 307 respondents in Malaysia using convenience sampling method through an online survey. Respondents’ demographic background was presented statistically in cross tabulation tables to study the ratio comparison implicitly. Consistent Partial Least Square approach and bootstrapping techniques with 5,000 subsamples was employed, with the aid of SmartPLS.V3 software, to identify the significant factors influencing consumers’ continuance intention after the pandemic. Result Perceived ease of use does not contribute significantly to continuance intention as most consumers have prior online purchase experience. Nevertheless, time-saving orientation has a positive correlation with perceived ease of use due to the simplicity of placing an order with just a click. It is also found that price-saving orientation is related to convenience motivation, particularly when prices can be compared on the websites or online ordering platforms. Consumers’ intention to continue using OFDS even after the COVID-19 pandemic is positively influenced by all the parameters studied, except for perceived ease of use. Conclusion Limited work has been done on the continuance intention to use OFDS beyond the pandemic. This study provides insight for food retailers on how to enhance their business and retain their customers with the support of technology, even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benchmarking the university campus food environment and exploring student perspectives about food insecurity and healthy eating: a case study from Australia

ObjectiveTo benchmark the university food environment and explore students’ experiences with food insecurity and healthy eating in order to inform interventions to improve access and affordability of healthy foods for university students.DesignA food environment audit was conducted on the university campus using the Uni-Food tool from April to May 2022 and was comprised of three main components, university systems and governance, campus facilities and environment, and food retail outlets. A qualitative study design was also used to conduct focus groups and semi-structured interviews with students to explore key themes regarding their experiences with food insecurity and healthy eating.SettingMacquarie University, Australia.ParticipantsFor the food environment audit 24 retail outlets on campus and for the qualitative component 29 domestic and international students enrolled at Macquarie University.ResultsThe university only scored 27% in total for all components in the food environment audit. The results showed the need for better governance and leadership of the food environment. The qualitative component suggested that the main barriers to accessing healthy foods were related to availability, pricing, and knowledge of healthy foods. Future intervention ideas included free fruits and vegetables, food relief, discounts, improved self-catering facilities, education, and increased healthy food outlets.ConclusionsImproving governance measures related to healthy eating on campus are a core priority to strengthen the food environment and students identified pricing and availability as key issues. These findings will inform effective and feasible interventions to improve food security and healthy eating on campus.

Neighborhood physical environments and change in cardiometabolic risk factors over 14 years in the study of Women's health across the nation

BackgroundNeighborhood physical environments may influence cardiometabolic health, but prior studies have been inconsistent, and few included long follow-up periods. MethodsChanges in cardiometabolic risk factors were measured for up to 14 years in 2830 midlife women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a multi-ethnic/racial cohort of women from seven U.S. sites. Data on neighborhood food retail environments (modified Retail Food Environment Index) and walkability (National Walkability Index) were obtained for each woman's residence at each follow-up. Data on neighborhood access to green space, parks, and supermarkets were available for subsets (32–42%) of women. Models tested whether rates of change in cardiometabolic outcomes differed based on neighborhood characteristics, independent of sociodemographic and health-related covariates. ResultsLiving in more (vs. less) walkable neighborhoods was associated with favorable changes in blood pressure outcomes (SBP: −0.27 mmHg/year, p = 0.002; DBP: −0.22 mmHg/year, p < 0.0001; hypertension status: ratio of ORs = 0.79, p < 0.0001), and small declines in waist circumference (−0.09 cm/year, p = 0.03). Small-magnitude associations were also observed between low park access and greater increases in blood pressure outcomes (SBP: 0.37 mmHg/year, p = 0.003; DBP: 0.15 mmHg/year, p = 0.04; hypertension status: ratio of ORs = 1.16, p = .04), though associations involving DBP and hypertension were only present after adjustment for sociodemographic variables. Other associations were statistically unreliable or contrary to hypotheses. ConclusionNeighborhood walkability may have a meaningful influence on trajectories of blood pressure outcomes in women from midlife to early older adulthood, suggesting the need to better understand how individuals interact with their neighborhood environments in pursuit of cardiometabolic health.

On being a foodie: Food literacy, involvement, and disgust

Foodies, despite representing a significant and important consumer segment globally, are not well characterized in the scholarly literature. In this study we examine the association between foodiness and food literacy, involvement, and disgust; factors known to mediate several dimensions of food behaviour. A sample of 617 Canadian youth (18–25 yrs.) completed a 25-item food literacy scale, the 8-item Food Disgust Scale (English version), and the Food Involvement Scale. Foodiness and foodie status (foodie or non-foodie) were determined using the modified Foodie Index. Results show that foodies (n = 204) are more food literate overall than non-foodies (n = 203) (Kruskal-Wallis H test), and score higher across all five subscales. They also have a higher level of general education attainment (Chi-square test). Unexpectedly, foodies also display higher food disgust than non-foodies (Kruskal-Wallis H test). We also show that the foodie construct is more complex than and qualitatively distinct from food involvement. Our findings should assist food marketers and retailers in market segmentation initiatives, and in aligning their products and services with the features and needs of those segments. Additionally, we discuss implications for education and policy strategies aimed at improving food literacy, and identify future research needs.