Organic Shops Research Articles

Encouraging Organic Food Consumption through Visualization of Personal Shopping Data

Although food retailers have embraced organic certified food products as a way to reduce their environmental loading, organic sales only make up a small proportion of total sales worldwide. Most consumers have positive attitudes towards organic food, but attitudes are not reflected in behaviour. This article addresses consumers’ attitude–behaviour gap regarding their purchase of organic food and reports on how visualization of personal shopping data may encourage them to buy more organic food. Through the design of the visualization tool, the EcoPanel, and through an empirical study of its use, we provide evidence on the potential of the tool to promote sustainable food shopping practices. Of 65 users that tested the EcoPanel for five months, in-depth interviews were made with nine of these. The test users increased their purchase of organic food by 23%. The informants used the EcoPanel to reflect on their shopping behaviour and to increase their organic shopping. We conclude that the visualization of food purchases stimulates critical reflection and the formation of new food shopping practices. This implies that food retailers may increase sales of organic food through using a visualization tool available for their customers. In this way, these retailers may decrease their environmental impact.

The Environmental Awareness Influence Urban Female's Purchasing Intention of Organic Agricultural Products

In 2018, the number of internet users in Taiwan reached 18.66 million. The online rate was 79.2%, which was 0.4% higher than that in 2017. Moreover, the annual growth rate of Taiwan's online shopping market is double digits, suggesting the rapid expansion of online shops and the popular trend in online shopping. Managing a store on the internet platform offers many advantages, such as low operating cost, cheaper fees, greater sources of customers, and keyword marketing. As online shopping becomes prevalent in Taiwan, online shops are considered effective sales channels. Among the online shops, there are many small organic shops operated by farmers, as well as chain organic stores. However, researches on Taiwan's online purchase and sales of organic agricultural products (vegetables and fruits) are very sparse. The subjects were mostly urban women, who are white-collar workers, have middle to upper income levels, a high level of education, and are highly frequent internet shoppers. The findings indicate that in the booming online shopping market, urban women's attitude and perceived behavioral control positively, affect their intention to buy organic agricultural products (vegetables and fruits) online. Chain stores and farmers should consider internet marketing as an important sales channel targeting urban women.

The changing meaning of millets: Organic shops and distinctive consumption practices in Bengaluru, India

The number of organic shops in Bengaluru has increased remarkably in the last few years, with millets being the main products drawing consumers. Yet, organic shops are only attracting middle-class consumers. We observed and interviewed 104 customers in five organic shops in Bengaluru to find out why this is the case. In this article, we follow practice theory to discuss the reported consumption patterns. We show that consumers, influenced by commercials and the advice of medical and nutritional professionals, legitimize their consumption of organic foods as an investment in their future health. We show that the customers of organic shops legitimize their consumption practice with affective engagements; thereby, performing symbolic boundaries that distinguish them from other social classes. This distinction manifests itself in the consumption of millets, which contributes to the change of the meaning of this food from a life-sustaining staple to a lifestyle superfood. In this article, we take a critical look at the role of organic retailers and how they reproduce class-based consumption practices in India.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGICAL BELIEF TOWARDS GREEN FOOD PRODUCT

This paper deals with the relationship between the consumer behaviour and ecological belief towards green food product. The study was conducted in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Chennai has the maximum number of organic shops and customers are comparatively aware about green products. The organic shops in Chennai have extended their sales in all varieties of products such as organic vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, greens, packaged items and FMCG products etc. These varieties of products attract more numbers of customers.

Impact of Choice Motives on Consumer Attitudes and Purchase Intentions regarding Organic Coffee - Study Performed at Organic Coffee Shops in and around Seoul -

Impact of Choice Motives on Consumer Attitudes and Purchase Intentions regarding Organic Coffee - Study Performed at Organic Coffee Shops in and around Seoul -

The intestinal microbiota composition and weight development in children: the KOALA Birth Cohort Study.

To investigate whether the intestinal microbiota composition in early infancy is associated with subsequent weight development in children. Analyses were conducted within the KOALA Birth Cohort Study (n = 2834). This cohort originates from two recruitments groups: pregnant women with a conventional lifestyle (no selection based on lifestyle) and pregnant women recruited through alternative channels (organic shops, anthroposophic clinicians/midwives, Steiner schools and relevant magazines). From 909 one-month-old infants, fecal samples were collected and analyzed by quantitative PCR targeting bifidobacteria, Bacteroides fragilis group, Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Lactobacilli and total bacteria counts. Between the ages of 1 and 10 years, parent-reported weight and height was collected at 7 time points. Age- and gender-standardized body mass index (BMI) z-scores were calculated. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation. Colonization with B. fragilis group was borderline significantly associated with a higher BMI z-score of 0.15 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.02 to 0.31), in the conventional subcohort. After stratification for fiber intake (P(forinteraction) = 0.003), colonization with B. fragilis group was associated with a 0.34 higher BMI z-score among children with a low-fiber intake in this subcohort (95% CI: 0.17-0.53). Higher counts among colonized children were positively associated with BMI z-score only in children within the conventional subcohort and a high-fiber diet (BMI z-score 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.14), but inversely associated in children with a low-fiber diet (BMI z-score -0.05; 95% CI: -0.10 to 0.00), and in children recruited through alternative channels (BMI z-score -0.10; 95% CI: -0.17 to -0.03). The other bacteria were not associated with BMI z-scores, regardless of subcohort. Using a targeted approach, we conclude that the intestinal microbiota, particularly the B. fragilis group, is associated with childhood weight development. To identify the potential impact of additional bacterial taxa, further prospective studies applying an unconstrained in-depth characterization of the microbiota are needed.

The Package as an Actor in Organic Shops

This article examines the different and often overlooked roles that packages can perform in specialised organic shops. The paper reports on case studies of three organic shops of different types: a pioneering alternative organic shop, a small shop run by a big cooperative company and a recently started organic shop with a modern style, all located in Sweden. In addition to interviews, the paper draws on material produced through visual analysis and participant observation. Packages were found to take four main roles: the repetitive package, the unobtrusive package, the unfamiliar package and the returnable package. These different roles are approached in terms of agency and as viewing the package as playing a key part in the actor-networks of organic food.

Determination of Aflatoxin B1 Levels in Organic Spices and Herbs

Organically produced spices and herbs were analyzed for determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by ELISA using immunoaffinity column. For this purpose 93 organic spices and 37 organic herbs were randomly selected from organic markets and organic shops in Turkey. AFB1 was detected in 58 organic spice and 32 organic herb samples. Among organic spice samples, the maximum value was detected in cinnamon sample (53 μg/kg). AFB1 was not detected in thyme samples. AFB1 levels of 41 organic spice samples were above the EU regulatory limit (5 μg/kg). Among organic herb samples the highest concentration of AFB1 (52.5 μg/kg) was detected in a rosehip sample. AFB1 levels of 21 organic herb samples were above the regulatory limits of the European Union. These results showed that more stringent measures must be taken for the prevention of mold contamination in the production of organic spices and herbs.

Occurrence of patulin and its dietary intake through pear, peach, and apricot juices in Italy

Pear, peach, apricot, and mixed juices (125 samples) were purchased in Italian supermarkets and organic food shops and analysed for patulin content. An overall incidence of 34.4? was observed in the fruit juices, with a mean contamination level of 3.6 µg kg–1. No one sample exceeded 50 µg kg–1, the maximum permitted limit according to European legislation. However, 19 positive samples contained more than 10 µg kg–1 of patulin, which is the maximum level permitted for baby food. The incidence of patulin contamination was significantly higher in pear juices (64.1?) than in apricot, peach, or mixed juices. Statistical analysis (p = 0.002; Kruskal–Wallis test) showed a significantly higher level of patulin in pear (5.1 µg kg–1) and mixed juices (4.9 µg kg–1) than in the other juices. A slightly higher incidence of positive samples was found in conventional juices (35.7?) compared with the organic ones (29.6?). The magnitude between the mean contamination levels was similar in conventional (3.6 µg kg–1) and organic (3.3 µg kg–1) juices (p = 0.474; Mann–Whitney U-test). Samples were further divided based on the fruit content in fruit juices, fruit nectars, and fruit drinks. In fruit nectars the incidence of positive samples (37.8?) was slightly higher than in fruit drinks (27.2?), but the mean patulin contamination was higher in fruit drinks (5.2 µg kg–1) than in fruit nectars (3.4 µg kg–1). However, the magnitude between the two means was not statistically different (p = 0.734; Mann–Whitney U-test). Italian juices had a higher incidence of patulin (35.3?), with a lower mean content (3.5 µg kg–1), compared with the incidence (22.2?) and level (4.1 µg kg–1) foreign juices commercially available in Italy. The magnitude of the means between Italian and foreign juices was not statistically different, according to the Mann–Whitney U-test (p = 0.616). The estimated intake of patulin ranged from 0.1 to 1.5 ng kg–1 body weight for the whole population and from 0.3 to 5.1 ng kg–1 body weight for the consumers only. The highest patulin intake was estimated for consumers of pear juices, followed by consumers of mixed juices. The daily intake of patulin derived from the consumption of pear juice suggests that also pear juices, though a minor patulin source, could be monitored for their patulin content in order to control the mycotoxin contamination, especially in countries, such as Italy, where pear nectars are preferred as fruit drinks.

Investigating the Diet of “Organic Eaters”

The preliminary findings of a survey of regular consumers of organic food are presented. The research was designed to investigate dietary change in contemporary society with particular reference to the minority, but nevertheless influential, interest in organic produce. Four hundred and fifty consumers were surveyed through wholefood shops and organic shops, by questionnaire and also by completion of diet‐diaries. Concerns the questionnaire results regarding changes in composition of diet (major food groups) from childhood and how these changes compare with the national average consumption.