Food Purchases Research Articles

Positive perceptions and purchase of sustainable foods is associated with higher diet quality in Australian university students

Purpose This study aims to understand university students' perception and engagement with sustainable food practices and the relationship with diet quality. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey assessed Australian university students' sustainable food perceptions and purchasing behaviours, diet quality using the validated Australian Recommended Food Score and attitudes towards on campus sustainable food options. Findings Of respondents (n = 197; 63% female), over half (58%) perceived it was important to purchase sustainable foods. These students were eight times more likely report purchasing sustainable foods (OR: 8.1; 95%CI 4.2–15.7; SE: 0.3; p < 0.001) and had significantly higher diet quality (Beta coefficient: 2.9; 95% Confidence Intervals 0.4–5.4; Standard Error: 1.3; p = 0.024). Students who reported frequently purchasing all types of sustainable foods, except organic foods, had significantly higher diet quality. Few students perceived there were sufficient sustainable food choices on campus (19%), but most supported the development of an edible campus (80%). Originality/value The results highlight the potential impact of promoting sustainable food options and creating a supportive campus food environment towards improving students’ diet quality.

EXPRESS: Groceries or School Cafeterias: How Households Respond to School Nutrition Mandates

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) placed strict nutritional mandates on meals served at U.S. public schools. This policy offers a unique opportunity to study household response to a large, exogenous change in healthiness of food available to their children. Did more healthy school meals lead households to substitute towards them, and away from grocery food purchases? Which households were more responsive to the nutritional mandates? And was there any spillover effect on the nutritional quality of their grocery food purchases? We document a meaningful decrease in the quantity of grocery food in response to the HHFKA, and a small decrease in quality. Consistent with substitution towards school meals, more of the quantity decrease is attributable to items likely to be purchased for children and categories traditionally associated with breakfast and lunch (the meals served at school). The HHFKA attracted even greater participation from financially and time constrained households for whom school meals were already important and were now coupled with the additional benefit of healthier food. These findings have important implications for policy makers and researchers, but also for food manufacturers and retailers.

Associations between exposure to advertising of foods high in fats, salt and sugar and purchase of energy and nutrients: a cross-sectional study.

To assess associations between self-reported advertising exposure to foods high in fats, salt and sugar and household purchases of energy, nutrients and specific product categories. A cross-sectional design was used. Advertising exposure data were gathered using a questionnaire administered to the main shopper of each household, and purchase data from supermarkets and other stores for these households were accessed for a 4-week period during February 2019. Households in London and the North of England. Representative households (N 1289) from the Kantar Fast Moving Consumer Goods Panel. Main shoppers were predominantly female (71 %), with a mean age of 54 years (±13). Linear regression models identified that exposure to foods high in fats, salt and sugar advertising through traditional mediums (including broadcast and print), but not digital, transport, recreational or functional mediums, was associated with greater purchases of energy (9779 kcal; 95 % CI 3515, 16 043), protein (416 g; 95 % CI 161, 671), carbohydrate (1164 g; 95 % CI 368, 1886) and sugar (514 g; 95 % CI 187, 841). Generalised linear models showed that individuals who reported exposure to sugary drink advertising were more likely to purchase sugary drinks (1·16; 95 % CI 2·94, 4·99) but did not purchase more energy or nutrients from sugary drinks. There was no evidence of associations between exposure to advertising for sugary cereals or sweet snacks and purchases from these categories. There was a strong influence of traditional advertising and sugar-sweetened beverage advertising on household food and drink purchases, thus supporting the need for advertising restrictions across traditional formats and for sugary drinks specifically.

Reduced red and processed meat consumption is associated with lower diet costs in US households: a national analysis of protein substitutions.

To examine the association between red and processed meat consumption and total food expenditures in US households and explore whether households could reduce food costs by substituting these meats with other protein sources such as poultry, seafood, eggs and plant proteins. Cross-sectional study using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). Using adult male equivalents (AME) for standardisation, we categorised red and processed meat purchases into quintiles. We used generalised linear models to explore the association between red or processed meat consumption and food expenditures and the cost effect of substituting meat with other proteins. United States. Data from 4739 households with valid acquisition information from FoodAPS, a stratified multistage probability sample of US households. Higher red and processed meat consumption were both significantly associated with higher total weekly food expenditures, particularly among households with low income. Substituting red or processed meat with poultry, eggs or plant proteins did not significantly affect overall food expenditures, whereas replacing meat with seafood, especially varieties high in n-3 fatty acids, led to increased costs. Reducing red and processed meat consumption could offer savings for households, particularly those with low income. Although substitutions with seafood high in n-3 could increase expenses, alternative protein sources like poultry and plant proteins may serve as cost-neutral replacements. Public health strategies should emphasise dietary shifts' economic, health and environmental benefits and aim to make nutritious yet affordable protein sources more accessible.

Factors influencing young adults’ organic food purchase intention on fresh food e-commerce platforms

PurposeUnderstanding young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior in the fresh food e-commerce platforms (FFEP) is crucial for expanding the global environmental product market. The study aims to investigate how specific characteristics of platforms and organic food information impact young adults’ perceived value, leading to their subsequent purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachAround 535 valid responses were collected through an online survey and then analyzed applying a two-stage structural equation model (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) approach.FindingsResults of this research show that platform characteristics (including system quality and evaluation system) and product information characteristics (including organic label, ingredient information and traceability information) significantly affect young adults’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic value. The platform’s service quality has a strong effect on their perceptions of hedonic value, while the delivery system strongly influences their utilitarian value. Moreover, the perceived value, as a crucial mediator, plays a significant role in moderating the influence of platform and product information characteristics on the purchase intentions of young consumers regarding organic food.Originality/valuePrevious research has overlooked the credence attributes of organic food and particularities of online purchasing, focusing instead on general platform and product characteristics. This study addresses this gap by proposing a more appropriate model that integrates the characteristics of both the platform and product information. This offers theoretical and managerial implications for effectively stimulating organic food consumption among young adults in online environments.

Frozen food purchasing and home freezing of fresh foods: associations with household food waste

PurposeFreezing extends the shelf life of food. Home freezing of fresh foods and the purchase of frozen foods have been advocated as approaches to reduce food waste in US households. This paper discusses how commonly US households apply these practices, quantifies frozen food waste and relates these practices to food waste.Design/methodology/approachWe add questions to the summer 2022 wave of the US Household Food Waste Tracking Survey. The novel survey data provide important baseline information and household behaviours, such as food waste, home freezing of fresh food and the purchase of frozen foods. We analyse the association among these behaviours from more than 1,000 US households.FindingsWe find that US household wastes about 26 g per person per week of food that was once frozen, which is about 6% of all household food waste. The finding indicates that a small portion of food waste in US households comes from frozen food. Vegetables and meats are the most commonly discarded frozen foods. Among the frozen items reported as discarded, about 30% were purchased as frozen rather than purchased fresh and then frozen at home by the consumer and about 30% more were reported as discarded from the refrigerator rather than directly from the freezer. The findings are important for informing strategies to reduce household food waste.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the data provide important baseline information and correlate the use of freezing with lower waste levels, more work is needed to understand if interventions encouraging frozen food purchase or home freezing would reduce household food waste.Originality/valueWe provide unique, detailed information about the quantity of frozen food waste in US households and the relationships between consumer food waste and the practices of frozen food purchasing and home freezing.

Social contribution on payroll and exemption from food allowance

This article aims to explore the legal indeterminacy surrounding the possibility of free transit of credits between meal vouchers and food vouchers and its impact on the exemption of social contributions on payroll. Employing the Logical-Semantic Constructivism method and foundations from the philosophy of language, the article seeks to clarify whether this practice affects eligibility for exemption. Initially, the article underscores the importance of revisiting the interpretation given to the tax benefit, considering new business models and in light of changes in labor relations, such as the increase in remote work. Companies that offer meal and food vouchers are important partners for employers, facilitating the provision of food benefits to employees. A rigorous analysis of legal language is emphasized to ensure scientific accuracy. The legal norm is discussed from two perspectives: a broad sense (propositions derived from legal statements) and a strict sense (propositions structured in hypothetical-conditional judgments capable of regulating intersubjective conduct). It analyzes the norm that establishes the social contribution on payroll, identifying its five criteria (material, spatial, temporal, personal, and quantitative). The material criterion is defined as the provision of remuneration in exchange for work performed. The tax base is the total remuneration paid to employees. The article discusses the exemption of food assistance as provided by legislation (CLT and Law 8,212/91), which excludes the social security contribution on in natura food provided to workers. The legislation allows food assistance to be offered through vouchers, provided they are used exclusively for the purchase of food. Federal Decree No. 10,854/2021 is analyzed to explain the necessity of keeping funds in separate accounts and ensuring their exclusive use for food, prohibiting withdrawals or transfers to accounts not linked to the Worker’s Food Program (PAT). The article concludes that the free transfer of credits between meal and food vouchers does not affect the exemption of food assistance, as long as the funds are used exclusively for the purchase of in natura food. Subordinate legislation does not impose significant restrictions on this practice, and even if it did, it could not supersede higher normative provisions that grant the exemption. Thus, the arrangement between meal and food credits does not limit the exemption from social contributions on payroll.

The Influence of Social Environment and Halal Awareness on Halal Food Purchasing Decisions with Halal Lifestyle as an Intervening Variable

This study aims to Assess and analyse the influence of social environment and halal awareness on purchasing decisions through halal lifestyle. The object of this research is the Islamic community in Toba Regency. Data collection using area sampling, then questionnaires were distributed to 100 respondents spread across 16 sub-districts in Toba Regency. This research method uses a quantitative approach with associative methods. The data analysis used is statistical analysis in the form of SEM PLS which is tested through outer model analysis and inner model analysis. The results showed that the direct influence of the social environment and halal awareness on purchasing decisions for halal food products had a positive and significant effect. Meanwhile, the indirect effect of the social environment on purchasing decisions for halal food products through a halal lifestyle has a positive and insignificant effect. However, the indirect effect of halal awareness on purchasing decisions through a halal lifestyle has a positive and significant effect. This means that a halal lifestyle cannot intervene in the relationship between the social environment and purchasing decisions, but can intervene in the relationship between halal awareness and purchasing decisions. The implications of this study are the importance of the role of the community in shaping halal consumption behaviour, strengthening education about the concept of halal and the importance of consuming halal products needs to be improved, especially among the younger generation

How Blockchain-Enabled Drivers Stimulate Consumers’ Organic Food Purchase Intention: An Integrated Framework of Information Systems Success Model Within Stimulus-Organism-Response Theory in the Context of Vietnam

Integrating the Information System Success (ISS) model with the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) paradigm, this study aims to explore how blockchain-enabled stimuli (blockchain-enabled traceability and blockchain-enabled transparency) affect ISS-related organisms (perceived information quality and perceived system quality), which individually, congruently, and incongruently trigger consumers’ behavioral responses (organic food purchase intentions). Using a purposive sampling of 5326 Vietnamese consumers, multiple linear regression and polynomial regression with response surface analysis are employed to examine the hypothesized model. The research indicates that both blockchain-enabled traceability and blockchain-enabled transparency significantly and positively affect perceived information quality and perceived system quality, which both significantly mediate the impacts of blockchain-enabled traceability and blockchain-enabled transparency on organic food purchase intention. The research also finds that higher congruence between perceived information quality and perceived system quality leads to increased organic food purchase intention, while greater disparity between perceived information quality and perceived system quality results in lower organic food purchase intention. This study contributes to the extant literature by integrating the ISS model with the SOR model to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding how blockchain technology affects consumer behavior in the organic food market. It also highlights the crucial role of both information and system quality in leveraging blockchain technology to enhance consumer trust and purchase intentions.

A cross-sectional study of the relative availability and prominence of shelf space allocated to healthy and unhealthy foods in supermarkets in urban Ireland, by area-level deprivation

BackgroundDiet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of ill-health and death across Europe. In Ireland, dietary intakes of saturated fat, free sugar and salt exceed World Health Organization recommendations, and excess consumption follows a social gradient increasing population risk of diet-related NCDs. The retail food environment can influence consumer food choice and subsequent dietary intakes. In high income countries, supermarkets are an increasingly influential actor in consumer food availability, choice, purchase, and subsequent food intake. This study aims to assess the relative availability and prominence of healthy and unhealthy foods in Irish supermarkets, by area-level deprivation.MethodsThis study used a cross-sectional study design, and applied a validated measure, as described in the INFORMAS Protocol: Food Retail – Food availability in supermarkets. Between October 2021 and February 2022, shelf space (m2) (height or depth (cm) × length (cm)) and prominence (visibility), of foods, classified as healthy and unhealthy and represented by a proxy indicator, were collected in supermarkets (n = 36) in County Dublin, Ireland. Overall the proportion of mean relative shelf space (m2), allocated to healthy and unhealthy foods, and its prominence, by area-level deprivation, and retailer, were determined. We used t-tests and one-way ANOVA to analyse possible differences between the proportion of relative shelf space available to healthy and unhealthy foods, and its prominence, by area-level deprivation and retailer.ResultsThe study found the proportion of shelf space measured allocated to unhealthy food was 68.0% (SD 10.6). Unhealthy foods were more likely to be in areas of high prominence. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference between the proportion of relative shelf space available to unhealthy foods in areas of high and low deprivation. A statistically significant difference in the proportion of relative shelf space allocated to healthy and unhealthy food by area level deprivation was found in one retailer.ConclusionUnhealthy foods had a higher proportion of shelf space and were more prominent than healthy foods in supermarkets in County Dublin, Ireland. The current availability and prominence of foods in supermarkets does not align with Food Based Dietary Guideline recommendations and does not support consumers to make healthier food choices. There is a need for supermarkets in Ireland to improve the availability and prominence of healthy foods to support consumers to make healthier food choices.

Blockchain-based food traceability system and pro-environmental consumption: A moderated mediation model of technology anxiety and trust in organic food product

Blockchain technology is increasingly recognized as a transformative tool for enhancing clarity and responsibility in the organic food supply chain, where concerns about product authenticity and safety are paramount. By offering provable and translucent information about the origination, production processes, and administration of organic items, blockchain helps to reduce information asymmetry and builds consumer trust, which is critical for purchase decisions in the organic food market. Drawing on insights from the trust theory and the stimulus-organism-response framework, this study uses a moderated mediation model to explore how technology anxiety negatively moderates the direct and indirect influences of blockchain-based food traceability systems on trust in organic food products and organic food purchase intention. Using a targeted sample of 5326 consumers in Vietnam, the PROCESS macro approach (models 8 and 4) is utilized to examine the formulated hypotheses. The results demonstrate that blockchain-based food traceability systems notably enhance consumer trust in organic food products and their intention to buy these products. Trust in organic food products serves as a mediator in the connection between blockchain-based traceability and purchase intention, while technology anxiety weakens the positive impacts of blockchain technology on trust and purchase intention when anxiety levels are high. This research makes crucial contributions to the literature by offering a mechanism-based explanation of how blockchain technology enhances consumer trust in organic food products and integrates technological anxiety as a moderator, providing a deeper understanding of how technological innovations shape consumer behavior. In light of the findings, several critical recommendations have been proposed for practitioners and policymakers.

Benefits and challenges of the public food procurement program: Perspectives of technicians and managers of family farmer organizations in Brazil

Public food purchase programs are a useful tool for promoting food security through rural development, supporting family farmers, and encouraging sustainable and healthy food production. The study aimed to analyse the characteristics of family farmer organizations associated with the Brazilian Public Food Procurement (PFP) program and the opinion of technicians and managers of the organizations regarding the benefits and challenges of the program. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions regarding the characteristics of the organization and the food sales process, as well as the opinion about the benefits and challenges of PFP. The results were stratified according to the organization’s participation in the PFP. The chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test was applied. A total of 293 managers and technicians from family farmer organizations participated in the study. The majority of participants (71.7 %) reported their involvement in the PFP program. The study revealed that farmer organizations and public technical assistance agencies with larger memberships and employing conventional or mixed production methods were found to be more actively engaged in the PFP program across Brazil. Participants highlighted that direct sales under the program offer benefits to consumers, producers, and the environment. However, challenges identified include seasonal production constraints, bureaucratic hurdles in sales procedures, inadequate infrastructure for food storage and processing within farmer organizations, insufficient information from restaurants about purchasing opportunities, and a lack of support and technical assistance. These factors pose implementation challenges for the PFP program. While the PFP program shows promise in promoting direct sales and supporting local farmers, addressing the identified challenges will be crucial for its sustained success and broader adoption across different regions.

Healthy food purchase intention: The moderation effect of intuitive thinking and perceived knowledge

This paper aims to study the relationships among intuitive thinking, nutritional information, perceived knowledge, subjective norm, trust, and health concerns on purchase intention. The study was conducted with 461 consumers in Brazil. Structure Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied. Most of our hypotheses were supported and demonstrated that consumers with high perceived knowledge care less about social influence. On the other hand, when it comes to using nutritional information to develop trust in food producers, consumers rely more on intuitive thinking. Trust and health consciousness have a positive effect on purchase intention. Policymakers can benefit from the results to develop accurate public policies, and food manufacturers can use them to adequate resolutions and implement labels with consumers’ well-being under perspective. We confirmed that if consumers perceive that they have sufficient knowledge and can make their decisions mostly based on it, less they will rely on subjective norms.

곤충 단백질을 활용한 고령친화식품 개발을 위한 소비자 요구도 조사

This study aims to investigate consumer perceptions of senior-friendly foods, specifically focusing on the development of such products using edible insects, to address the nutritional issues faced by the elderly. The study surveyed 125 elderly individuals aged 65 and older (45 men, 80 women, average age of 75.9 years) who use senior cultural centers in Seoul. Of these, 86.4% had medical conditions, with the most common being high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, and osteoporosis. The prevalence of arthritis and osteoporosis was significantly higher in women (p<0.05). Both men and women consumed meat 1-3 times a week, while fish and eggs were consumed more than once a day. Both men and women ate three regular meals. Men preferred softer foods more than women and favored foods that were ‘water-like’ in consistency when swallowing. The most preferred types of processed foods were ‘rice’, ‘tofu’, ‘fermented foods.’ The most important factor in food purchasing decisions was ‘nutrition’, with ‘meal replacement foods’ being the most preferred type of senior-friendly food. Regarding edible insect consumption, 83.2% had no experience with it (p<0.05), and 40.8% expressed willingness to try edible insects in the future (p<0.05). The concern about insect consumption was ‘unfamiliarity’, and the most preferred edible insect product was ‘nutritional supplements.’ This study highlights the preferences of the elderly for foods that are easy to chew, soft in texture, easy to swallow like water, and nutritionally balanced as meal replacements, suggesting these as key considerations for the development of senior-friendly foods in the future

Exploring barriers and facilitators to feeding children with minimal or no "Junk Food": Insights from Mexican women.

This study aims to investigate the factors that promote or hinder the feeding of children with minimal or no ultra-processed products to inform the design of an mHealth strategy in Mexico and prevent child malnutrition among the economically vulnerable. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted, involving 24 in-depth face-to-face interviews with caregivers of children aged 24-59 months from both urban and rural communities. To analyze the data, we used thematic analysis and incorporated a few elements of grounded theory. More barriers than facilitators were identified. Key barriers included: misconceptions and the widespread availability of junk food through an extensive network of grocery stores; neighbors and family gifting junk food; the association of soda with celebrations; the practice of indulging children with junk food; and the normalization of junk food consumption by both adults and children. Facilitators included: caregivers' awareness of the health risks associated with junk food; economic constraints limiting junk food purchases; support from husbands in regulating children's junk food consumption; the presence of a family member with diabetes; specific cultural beliefs about children's digestive health; as well as displacement of "healthy" foods that nourish children. Based on our findings, we formulated recommendations for interventions at intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy levels to support healthier feeding practices for children.

Dynamics of everyday practices of urban parents

In order to further improve family policy, the article aims to analyze the dynamics of everyday practices of parents. The empirical basis is the databases on individuals of the Comprehensive monitoring of living conditions (GKS-KOUZH — 2011,2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 years), which is conducted by the Federal State Statistics Service. Subsamples of urban fathers and mothers living with children under the age of 15 have been formed. The daily practices of parents are analyzed based on the indicators of work, leisure, sports, health, smoking and alcohol consumption contained in the database, depending on gender, educational level and number of children. The article presents an analysis of studies on the transmission of constructive and destructive parenting practices to children. It is shown that during the analyzed period, the proportion of parents who work in their specialty, attend various leisure facilities, participate in the activities of political and public organizations, engage in sports and drink alcohol is stable. The proportion of mothers attending religious institutions and meetings of believers has decreased. There are positive trends in a significant increase in the proportion of both fathers and mothers who are satisfied with their profession and salary, who make tourist trips, who positively assess their health and a decrease in the proportion of fathers who smoke. According to the analysis of the KOUZH-2022, more parents with higher education work in their specialty, are satisfied with wages, have the opportunity to work distantly via the Internet, practice buying food and goods over the Internet, make tourist trips, visit the theater, museums, exhibitions, restaurants, participate in social activities, do not smoke, play sports or active recreation compared to parents without higher education. Parents with many children are similar in terms of types of professional activities and level of education to one- and two-child parents. The absolute advantage of parents with many children is a significant proportion of religious fathers and the lowest level of alcohol consumption by fathers and mothers. Positive trends in the daily activities of parents inspire optimism about the prospects for fertility and the quality of parenthood.

Extended Theory of Planned Behavior Model to Predict Factors Affecting the Behavior of Eating Halal Food (Case Study of Santri Tahfidz Pondok Pesantren Al Muayyad Surakarta)

This study examined the characteristics that impact tahfidz students' food choices at Al Muayyad Islamic Boarding School in Surakarta, particularly halal food intake. This is quantitative descriptive research. Halal food purchases are mainly influenced by the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior model. Awareness, behavioral habits, religious self-identity, moral commitments, and trust also affect this technique. The sample included Al Muayyad Islamic Boarding School pupils memorizing the Qur'an. Data collection techniques with random sampling method through distributing questionnaires. Furthermore, the data analysis technique uses the SPPS version 26.0 application with multiple linear regression tests. Moral obligation has a significant positive effect on halal food consumption behavior, subjective norm or subjective norm has a significant negative relationship. Other components or factors, do not have a significant influence on the decision to consume halal food for students even though they have a positive relationship.

Analysis of the foreign direct investment, oil palm expansion, and food security in Indonesia: Sumatra and Kalimantan case studies

The continuing oil palm expansion on food security has prompted fierce debate. On one side, analysts argue that local community incorporation in the oil palm sector can increase food purchasing in the market. However, the expansion has also brought unprecedented consequences of losing highly nutritious food due to forest conversions. This study aims to analyze oil palm expansion and local food security in various regions in Indonesia by tackling the following questions: (a) Which factors influence palm oil expansion, and does foreign investment play a role? (b) How does palm oil expansion affect food security in Indonesia? Socioeconomic methods have been applied in this study, including a systematic literature review and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders from various domestic and international organizations. These two methods help us triangulate the academic literature findings with real-world situations as perceived by the actors in the related field. Results indicate that, firstly, foreign investors have not only made a direct investment to facilitate oil palm expansion, but also indirect financial intermediaries are held without holding financial equities to upstream oil palm companies (e.g., supply chain financing contracts, channeling using local financial institutions such as credit union). Secondly, while large corporations asserted monoculture oil palm expansions, some smallholding farmers use mixed cropland expansion to share food and oil palm crops in their own smallholding terms. With the oil palm expansion, farmers can secure a cash flow from palm oil, but an unintended outcome is less nutrition diversification, and often because of the distance to markets, some commodities are favored over a more diverse diet. The outcomes of oil palm development vary and are multifold, as some stakeholders report that some studies show improving cash flows at the farm level, but other studies insist that food insecurity still prevails.

Nutritional quality and diversity in Ghana’s school feeding programme: a mixed-methods exploration through caterer interviews in the Greater Accra Region

BackgroundThe Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) provides public primary school pupils with a free daily meal. Each meal is expected to follow set menus, providing 30% of children’s’ (6-12 years) energy requirements. This study assessed the nutritional quality and diversity of planned and provided GSFP meals, engaging school caterers to identify how meal quality in the Greater Accra Region could be enhanced.MethodsA cross-sectional mixed methods study design was used. Multistage sampling was used to select 129 schools implementing the GSFP in six districts of the Greater Accra Region. GSFP district menus were collected as well as a one-week school caterer recall of provided school meals. The meal served on the day of data collection was recorded and photographed. Nutritional quality was evaluated based on nutrient profiling methods: energy density (low<125kcal/100g; medium 125-225kcal/100g; high>225kcal/100g) and nutrient density (low<5%; medium 5-10%; high>10%). Meal diversity was assessed by a simple count composed of 5 food groups: cereals, pulses/nuts/seeds, animal-source, vegetables and fruits. Caterers’ views on programme facilitators and barriers were also explored.ResultsPlanned menus included 14-20 weekly options, composed of eight minimally processed traditional dishes. All meals, except white rice, had a high nutrient density/100g. Energy density was varied (low, n=2; medium, n=2; high, n=4). Meals included only 2/5 or 3/5 food groups, mainly starchy staples, pulses/nuts/seeds, and sometimes vegetables. Fruit was never reported. About half of caterers (51.1%) reported deviating from the planned menus: 11.7% served alternative meals, with some including animal-sourced food (17.0%), and 39.4% repeated meals provided during the week, often based on starchy staples, influencing overall nutritional quality. Most caterers reported food item cost and lack of food purchase guidelines as barriers to providing school meals, while food safety training and guidelines for food preparation were facilitators.ConclusionsWhile school meals are composed of minimally processed, nutrient dense, local foods, there are notable gaps in meal diversity and compliance, as reflected in provided meals. Caterer compliance to planned menus varied greatly, reflecting recent food price inflation. Upwardly adjusting the current meal allocation of 1.2 cedis (0.22USD) per child per day could enhance access to more affordable, nutritious and diverse foods in school meals.

Street food in the digital era: unraveling the influence of food vloggers credibility and information quality on consumer intentions

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of credibility and information quality (IQ) of online food vloggers on consumer attitude and purchase intention towards street food consumption. It also examines the relationship between consumer attitude and purchase intention influenced by online food vlogger reviews in North India.Design/methodology/approachIn order to evaluate the framework, primary data were gathered from 389 street food consumers located in Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi – cities situated in northern India. The collected data were then subjected to analysis using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) techniques.FindingsThe results indicate that the perceived value of street food, influenced by the credibility of food vloggers and the quality of information provided, has a positive impact on consumer attitude and purchase intention towards street food consumption. A positive impact of consumer attitude on the purchase and consumption of street food was also observed.Originality/valueThis research offers a thorough investigation into the elements that influence consumers' opinions regarding vloggers endorsements. The findings reveal that consumer's attitudes towards vloggers recommendations are mainly influenced by the quality of information provided, followed by credibility and the intention to make a purchase. Furthermore, this research is of significance to practitioners and academics interested in comprehending consumer behavior in the realms of tourism and food-related endeavors.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2024-0158