Share Of Food Research Articles

Gender Disparities Regarding Food Consumption and Food Insecurity among Rural Women: Status & Causes

The study was designed to assess the status of food intake and the gender inequalities regarding food consumption among rural women in the Okara district, Punjab, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study used a sequential explanatory research design (Quantitative, Qualitative). The sample for this study was 390 respondents, and a multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from the respondents. The data was collected through a household survey using a well-structured questionnaire for quantitative data and in-depth interviews conducted for qualitative data. The findings revealed that more or less 43% of respondents agreed that males dominate in the families receiving a larger and better share of food, whereas females do not get an equal share in food. Moreover, 56% of respondents said that sons were preferred over daughters for food consumption. About 62.2% said that, in their opinion, young females face health issues due to poor quality of food consumption. This study concluded that gender inequalities and household income are significant factors that affect the food consumption of rural women. There is a dire need to initiate an awareness campaign among rural households regarding nutritious food intake and to reduce gender-based inequalities.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Financial Situation of Rural and Urban Households in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic not only caused a global health crisis but also had a huge impact on household finances. This research aimed to examine the financial situation of rural and urban households in Poland between 2018 and 2022 from a multidimensional perspective. In a unidimensional approach, the financial situation of households was analyzed separately for their income, expenditures, savings rate, and shares of fixed expenses. In a multidimensional approach, the analysis used a synthetic index constructed for all these variables combined, employing the TOPSIS method and drawing on microdata from the Polish Central Statistical Office that totaled approximately 150,000 households. It was found that despite the pandemic outbreak, which led to major changes in the labor market, government-introduced organizational and legal measures protected the income of Polish households from decline. Indeed, income was increasing up until 2021, with a modest fall in 2022, which was less severe in rural households (by about 2%) than in urban ones (by 6%). A more immediate response to the outbreak was observed in consumer spending, which fell sharply, while the food share in consumption increased at similar levels in rural and urban areas. Regression analysis showed that compared to 2019, the pandemic worsened the financial situation of Polish households, but only in 2020 and 2022 were these changes statistically significant. In 2021, the financial situation improved slightly, but the change was not statistically significant. Before the pandemic, the synthetic assessment of the financial situation in rural areas was lower than in urban ones, and the pandemic period did not reduce these differences, showing no convergence between poorer rural areas and richer urban ones. Diagnosing and monitoring the household financial situation are crucial steps for achieving the social dimension goals of sustainable development. Research on the pandemic’s effects on household finances provides valuable information that can help develop effective strategies to counter future crises while supporting the social dimension of the sustainable development strategy.

Комплексная оценка уровня жизни в регионах России с использованием метода главных компонент

A comprehensive assessment of the living standard was conducted based on nine indicators of income and their subjective perception, inequality, expenditure structure, social and economic status, presented by their values in 82 regions that are Russian Federation subjects. For their aggregation, the principal component method was used, which led to the extraction of two generalized factors that retain 61 % of the total variance of the original indicators and are interpreted as objective and subjective characteristics of the living standard. It was found out that the growth of the economy and income in the regions of the Russian Federation is accom-panied by an increase in economic inequality; a decrease in the food share in household expenditures and in-kind receipts in food consumption reflects the situation of an increase in the living standard; the subjective per-ception of the living standard is non-linearly related to its objective indicators. Based on the distribution analysis of the subjects of the Russian Federation in the space of two principal components, groups of regions-leaders and outsiders in objective and subjective indicators of the living standard were identified. It is shown that geo-graphic location is not a significant factor in the living standard.

Impact of digital logistics platforms to facilitate more regional food in the hospitality sector and communal catering

PurposeThis paper studies digitalization projects aiming to increase the share of regional food in the hospitality sector and communal catering. The focus is set on influencing factors and underlying feedback structures that arise through the digitalization of regional food supplies. The results can guide stakeholders to get a better understanding of key influencing factors and complexities from a holistic perspective.Design/methodology/approachA systems thinking approach is employed to model regional food networks. The influencing factors were found in the literature and in two model regions. Feedback loops and underlying structures were explained and validated through semi-structured interviews. Findings are visualized in causal loop diagrams (CLDs) and are used for theory development.FindingsThe presentation in CLDs helps understanding the influence of digital logistics platforms on the entire system of regional food supply and not just on isolated parts. Among others, cooperation, trust and digital solutions were identified as key success factors when aiming to increase the share of regional food in the hospitality sector and communal catering.Research limitations/implicationsThe work focused on the underlying feedback structures occurring in regional food supply in two, rural Bavarian regions in Germany with their unique geographical settings. Findings may, consequently, not be entirely transferable to other regions with varying characteristics. Further research needs to be done to see how much these regional parameters influence digital logistics platforms.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the existing scientific literature by showing the impact coming from digital logistics platforms on regional food supply systems. Developing CLDs provides a basis for future work and facilitates discussion for researchers and practitioners to support future real-world implementations.

Does Engel's law work in central and Eastern European countries? The role of aspirations in determining food expenditures

Some of the CEE countries, despite rising per capita incomes and their gradual convergence to the levels of Western European countries, have recently experienced a stabilization or even an increase in share of food in total households’ expenditure. This is, of course, inconsistent with the Engel's Law, which postulates that share of food in total expenditure in these countries should gradually converge to the levels observed in the Western European countries, as the per capita income gap narrows. Using panel regressions it was shown that a factor explaining this anomaly may be aspirations among CEE countries to emulate the Western lifestyle reflected in the disproportionately high share of processed food in their total expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages compared to their per capita income level. The results obtained can be helpful in understanding food consumption patterns in catching-up economies, which is important for analyzing inflationary processes in these countries.

Towards true prices in food retailing: the value added tax as an instrument transforming agri-food systems

AbstractCurrent crises (i.e., climate crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting energy and food shortages) indicate the need for robust, and sustainable supply chains with regional food production and farmland to secure food supply in the European Union (EU). Recent research shows that organic food is more resilient to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. In this context, we examine an approach for the sustainable and resilient transformation of agri-food networks: can an adaptation of value added tax (VAT) levels work as a financial incentive to amplify resilient agricultural practices and sustainable dietary patterns? Within the setting of the amendment of the European framework directive on the use of VAT in 2022, we model the effects of adapting the current German VAT system by (1) reducing VAT on organic vegetarian food to 0% and (2) raising VAT on conventional meat and fish to 19%. Based on historical data on organic sales shares and price elasticities, we project sales shares differentiated by product group for each scenario. Then, we calculate expected tax revenues, changes in consumption patterns, and arising total external climate costs in Germany for both scenarios. Our results show that the overall consumption share of organic food would increase by 21.83% due to the modeled VAT reform compared to the status quo. Despite the VAT reduction to 0% on organic vegetarian products, the measure would yield €2.04 billion in extra tax revenues in Germany per year due to the increased taxation on conventional meat products. We find that annual environmental costs of €5.31 billion can be avoided as a result of lower external climate costs of organic and vegetarian food. Therefore, adjusting VAT rates in the food market can be a political instrument to drive organic food consumption and reduce animal livestock. This supports re-territorialization of agriculture and a more sustainable and resilient European food supply.

Functional classification and material characterization of plastic packaging in Flemish land litter to support effective reduction policies

Littered plastics are ubiquitous in the environment. This work presents an elaborate functional classification and material characterization of plastic packaging in land litter representatively sampled in Flanders, to support policy makers in taking effective reduction measures. In terms of mass, plastic bottles constituted the largest functional fraction (50.4 %) within plastic packaging found in land litter, followed by packaging films (food and non-food combined, 19.2 %) and rigid packaging (food and non-food combined, 18.2 %). In contrast, in number, plastic bottles were only the third largest fraction (10.1 %), after food (37.9 %) and non-food (26.2 %) packaging films. The difference between mass and number % for plastic packaging films can be explained by the fact that these films largely consisted of small and lightweight items, such as cookie wrappers and fragments of torn-open packaging. On a material level, the bottles fraction consisted almost entirely of PET, whereas non-food packaging films, bags and loose bottle caps consisted mainly of PE. ‘Cups and lids’, food and non-food rigid packaging and food packaging films consisted of a variety of polymer types, with PP, PET and PE being the most abundant in different ratios. Given the relative importance of plastic bottles, the introduction of a deposit return system could considerably reduce the plastic packaging mass littered into the environment. However, since the share of plastic packaging in the total collected land litter was only 14 %, the overall effect of such a measure on the litter mass will be limited. Given the high number share of food and non-food packaging films such as cookie wrappers, indicating their high ‘likeliness-to-get-littered’, effective policies to avoid littering of these types of packaging seem to be key.

Однородность потребительской корзины и динамики инфляции в разрезе регионов

Introduction. Regional heterogeneity is among the factors that could define efficiency of central banks’ inflation targeting monetary policy. Purpose. The paper aims at assessing the impact of a commodity bundle structure of the RF constituents on regional inflationary processes by clustering based on regional consumer price indices and share of goods and services in the commodity bundle. Materials and Methods. The paper refers to k-means clustering. Results. The study shows that the commodity bundle structure affects inflation rate and volatility. A food share in the commodity bundle is the key distinguishing feature. The regions with a higher share of food in the commodity bundle are characterized with higher inflation volatility, while the regions with a higher share of services and non-foods in the commodity bundle reveal lower inflation volatility. The cluster with a high share of food in the commodity bundle is dominated by comparatively poor regions. The other cluster mostly consists of regions with million-plus cities. This indirectly confirms Engel’s law. It is worth noting that we could divide regions into two constant groups in 2016–2020, although in 2021 and 2023 we observed significant changes in the cluster centers determined by a change of a region’s consumption model. If a food share in region’s population spending declines and a spending share of such items as cars, travelling, and leisure goes up, then inflation volatility decreases. Conclusion. The shift from one cluster to another presupposes that population of the region should decrease their food expenditures and increase the consumption of goods and services which satisfy high-level needs. This is likely to reduce inflation volatility in Russia on the whole.

Food Share Network: An AI Based Food Donating Application

This website “Food For All” facilitates food donation and distribution to reduce excess food and hunger. The project system aims to address the issue of food waste by creating a platform that facilitates the collection of excess or leftover food from various donors, and redistributing it to individuals in need through the collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).40% of the food produced in India is wasted.It isfurther estimated that the value of food wastage in India is around ₹92,000 crores per annum. This website provides information and resources on how to reduce excess food, improve food quality, and promote healthy eating habits.

Changes in Avian Top-Predator Diet in the 21st Century in Northeast (NE) Poland

The White-Tailed Eagle (WTE) Haliaeetus albicilla is a top avian predator that has rapidly increased in numbers and range in large parts of Europe in recent decades. In Poland, over the past 30 years, it has recolonized previously abandoned areas. In 1991, the first breeding pair in a large forest complex, the Augustów Forest (Northeast (NE) Poland), was recorded. In 2022, there were 13 breeding pairs. We analyzed changes in the diet composition of WTE in 2000–2023, divided into three periods: 2000–2005, 2009–2017, and 2018–2023. Throughout the 24 years of study, birds were the most frequently recorded food item, accounting for an average of 58% of food items, followed by fish (34%) and mammals (7%). During the study period, the most numerous food items were the Northern Pike Esox lucius, Coot Fulica atra, Common Bream Abramis brama, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, and storks Ciconia sp. These species together accounted for 52% of food items. We recorded a long-term increasing share of Northern Pike, storks, and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. Opposite changes, with declining frequency, were found for Coots and ducks. The share of the Coot, ducks, and Great Crested Grebe, as well as the total share of food connected with lakes in the WTE’s diet, increased along the growing area of lakes in the territory of the WTE. The proportion of fish in the food did not show a relationship with the increase in the area of lakes, while the most frequently eaten fish species changed. Observed changes in food composition appear related to the settlement of the habitat-diverse areas by individual breeding pairs and changes the availability of main food categories.

Trade-offs in food systems; How does upcycling edible resources fit in the big picture?

BackgroundGlobally, a large share of food is lost or wasted, contributing to resource overuse. Reducing wastage through product and processing innovations that use by-products while prioritising food production can alleviate this. However, there are trade-offs between different goals to consider, in particular between economic and social aims, and the value of ‘upcycling’ edible resources differs depending on the degree to which a food systems perspective is adopted. Scope and approachThis manuscript puts forth a range of propositions about the importance of taking a food systems perspective. It provides an overview of food systems and associated trade-offs during decision-making, followed by identifying the position of upcycling within a food system. We outline two example cases that reveal the benefits of using food systems thinking in decision-making regarding innovation in upcycling, and we conclude with suggestions for future research. Key findings and conclusionsWhen ethical perspectives on the trade-offs between economic and social aims around upcycling become more transparent through a food system perspective, this transparency could motivate companies to communicate to their consumers about their alternative choices. Adopting a systems approach could thus further transparent communication, consumer trust, and potentially reputation of companies and actors in the food system. Such ethical differentiation, in turn, could lead to economic profit for the same companies and actors, thus increasing value for everyone involved.

Parental attitudes and high caloric share of ultra-processed foods in children’s lunchboxes

This study analyzed the caloric share of ultra-processed foods in preschoolers' lunchboxes and associated parental attitudes. The snacks were registered and classified according to the NOVA classification: In Natura or Minimally Processed Foods; Processed Foods; Ultra-processed Foods and Culinary Ingredients. A questionnaire was applied to the parents to identify parental attitudes. Pearson's Chi-Square, Student's t-tests, and Beta regression models were used. The caloric share of ultra-processed Food in lunchboxes was 55%, being 7% for In Natura or minimally processed foods. There was a significant association between the caloric share of ultra-processed food and parental attitudes: only sending snacks that kids like (p=0,005), choosing foods with the child's favorite TV characters(p=0,03), convenience(p=0,01), being able to buy all snacks at the supermarket(p=0,002), not reading the food label(p=0,025), not having information to prepare a healthy lunchbox(p=0,016), and the mother not being the person who prepares the lunchbox(p=0,002). Parental attitudes are strongly associated with the children's eating habits, which is why it is important strengthening public policies that regulate the provision of ultra-processed foods.

The nature of protein intake as a discriminating factor of diet sustainability: a multi-criteria approach

Animal production is responsible for 56–58% of the GHG emissions and limiting meat consumption would strongly contribute to reducing human health risks in Western countries. This study aimed to investigate the nature of protein intake as a discriminating factor for diets’ sustainability. Using data from 29,210 French adults involved in the NutriNet-Santé cohort, we identified clusters according to 23 protein sources. A multicriteria (environmental, economic, nutritional and health) sustainability analysis was then conducted on the identified clusters. The economic analysis focused on both food and protein expenditure structures, using a budget coefficient approach. Relative values of clusters compared to the whole sample were calculated. We identified five clusters: milk-based, meat-based, fast food-based, healthy-fish-based, and healthy-plant-based. We found that the healthy-plant-based and healthy-fish-based clusters were the most sustainable, conciliating the compromise between human health (0.25 and 0.53 respectively for the Health Risk Score) and the protection of the environment (− 62% and − 19% respectively for the pReCiPe indicator). Conversely, the highest environmental impacts (+ 33% for the pReCiPe indicator) and the highest health risk (0.95 for the HRS) were observed for the meat-based cluster, which was associated with the lowest nutritional scores (− 61% for the PNNS-GS2 score). The economic analysis showed that the healthy-plant-based cluster was the one with the highest food budget coefficient (+ 46%), followed by the healthy-fish-based cluster (+ 8%), partly explained by a strong share of organic food in the diet. However, the meat-based cluster spent more of their food budget on their protein intake (+ 13%), while the healthy-plant-based cluster exhibited the lowest expenditure for this intake (− 41%). Our results demonstrate that the nature of protein intake is a discriminating factor in diet sustainability. Also, reducing animal protein consumption would generate co-benefits beyond environmental impacts, by being favorable for health, while reducing the monetary cost associated with protein intake.

Food security, food waste and food sharing: The conceptual analysis

Authors emphasize that food in the modern world is becoming less accessible due to the present global economic, geopolitical and climatic situation. At the same time a large share of food produced in the world goes to waste. It means that there is a need to implement tools that could provide people with access to food and reduce amount of food waste. Food sharing, a novel tool of collaborative food consumption, can be used to solve this problem. The paper introduces the concept of distributive food sharing and describes its different types. A description of the present state of distributive food sharing in Russia. We state that the environment for development of distributive food sharing in Russia is not favorable. The main conclusion of the article is the need to create conditions for the development of the concept of food sharing to provide those in need with food and minimize waste.

Assessment of export potential and state of foreign food and agriculture trade in the world

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to assess the export potential of countries, to determine the directions of food export development and the place of Ukraine in it, taking into account socio-economic factors by applying the authors’ methodical approach.
 Methodology / approach. The article considers world food and agriculture exports, the export potential of countries is assessed taking into account socio-economic factors. The authors select and apply a combination of methods necessary to achieve the goal of the study, which characterize specificities of individual countries of the world: method of systematic generalization, dynamic series analysis, factor analysis, regression analysis, comparisons, rating evaluation, integral approach. 
 Results. With the help of factor and integral analysis of macroeconomic indicators, we established that the structure of world exports and the share of food and agriculture is depended on the level of development and specialization of countries. In particular, the share of food and agriculture exports of developed countries is smaller compared to developing countries. The Netherlands and Germany are the leaders of the ranking in terms of food and agriculture export potential. According to forecasts, based on current trends, the export of bakery products in Ukraine and Poland should increase in 2023 compared to 2020 by 32.7 and 21.6 %, respectively. Effective socio-economic development, balanced export policy, modernization of production and logistics will contribute to the growth of export of food and agriculture with high added value.
 Originality / scientific novelty. Based on the authors’ methodical approach, the work improved the integral indicator of export development and the ranking of countries by export potential, taking into account socio-economic conditions. Factor models were built and the factors of food and agriculture export development were determined.
 Practical value / implications. The improved methodical approach to evaluating the effectiveness of global food and agriculture exports provides an opportunity to establish competitive advantages in the market and plan exports. Developing countries will have the opportunity to make the right choice of export products, which will provide them with added value and an increase in supply volumes.

Organic agriculture in the function of sustainable development of rural areas of the Republic of Srpska

Organic agriculture in the function of sustainable development of rural areas of the Republic of Srpska

Performance Evaluation of Faffa Food Share Company through Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)

Since 1962 EC, the Faffa Food Share Company has been producing and supplying flour in Ethiopia both for relief and commercial markets. However, it is incompetent in the market due to a poor maintenance management system. So, the aim of this research is to overcome the poor maintenance management problems by using the CMMS application. The data collected from the company by survey studies, unstructured interviews, and stopwatches and from company records revealed that frequent failure machines, as well as a poor maintenance management system, cause production downtimes, resulting in a 29.19% decrease in production from the planned production. The collected data are analyzed by, tools such as time and motion study, SPSS software and CMMS effectively. The finding from the outcome of the bivariate correlation of CMMS elements and manufacturing performance dimension has an alpha α value of greater than 0.5, which indicates that the relationships between CMMS and manufacturing performance are positive. The findings from company records and stopwatch equipment and manpower (technicians) should be managed to activate machine servicing. Finally, the proposed smart maintenance management system tool, CMMS improves the availability of machines, reduces the frequency of equipment failure, reduces the breakdown time, decreases the cost of maintenance, and then improves the manufacturing performance by 5 percent.

HOUSEHOLD FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOUR IN PAKISTAN

The main objective of the study is to identify the household consumption pattern in Pakistan. To fulfill the objective, the research incorporates microdata of household expenditure on twenty food and nonfood groups for the period 2018- 19. Different socioeconomic and demographic variables are also used to explain household consumption behaviour. It is concluded that most of the expenditure share of food and non-food groups of commodities has increased due to an increase in per capita income, but at a decreasing rate. Household size, household age and employment by age and by gender have played a significant role in altering the consumption share of most of food and nonfood commodities. There are both provincial and regional disparities exist in consumption behavior. Housing is considered a normal or luxurious good, while education is inferior because the expenditure share of housing has increased as income has increased, and so on. It is suggested that the government should work to increase the awareness regarding the importance of education.

Price-setting heterogeneity and robust monetary policy in a two-sector DSGE model of a small open economy

The choice between targeting headline and core inflation is crucial in times of large supply shocks. We investigate this issue in a multi-sector dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model of a small open economy with price-setting heterogeneity in two sectors: the production of food and energy goods and the remaining goods and services. In this framework, we determine optimal monetary policy rules robust to uncertainty in the economic environment. To illustrate the application, we estimate the model on Polish data and show that reacting to core inflation is more welfare improving than headline inflation targeting; however, the choice between the headline and core inflation rules depends on country-specific factors. These factors include the sectoral degree of openness, supply and demand shocks structure, the share of food and energy in the consumption bundle, and the level of competitiveness. Finally, we propose a robust price index and show that the optimal weight assigned to core inflation is higher than when parameter uncertainty is neglected.

Eviction-Related Threats and Coping Mechanisms among Women Street Food Vendors in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to investigate eviction-related threats and coping mechanisms among women street food vendors in Ubungo Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was used and a questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 60 women. According to the findings, eviction-related threats included a decrease in the number of customers, the lack of specific location for food vending activities, an increase in the cost of doing business and the congestion of street food vendors in one location. Women coped with such evictions by maintaining the price but reducing the share of food, measuring food according to the client’s financial ability, practicing good customer service, borrowing money from financial institutions and striving to expand customers’ base. Other reported strategies include preparing enough food for the day and explaining to customers why food prices have risen. In harmony with the Multi-layered social resilience framework, respondents managed to demonstrate reactive capacities in dealing with such eviction-related threats. In order to cope with the threats more proactively, awareness campaigns are needed to educate women street food vendors on the need of conducting their enterprises in authorized locations in order to avoid further evictions. Similarly, women street vendors should be empowered to seek assistance from both local and national government authorities at various levels, participate in decision-making processes and create institutions that can defend and foster their well-being in the face of future crises.