Fruit Purchases Research Articles

Curbing household food waste and associated climate change impacts in an ageing society.

We explored the intricate quantitative structure of household food waste and their corresponding life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from raw materials to retail utilizing a combination of household- and food-related economic statistics and life cycle assessment in Japan. Given Japan's status as a nation heavily impacted by an aging population, this study estimates these indicators for the six age brackets of Japanese households, showing that per capita food waste increases as the age of the household head increases (from 16.6 for the 20's and younger group to 46.0 kg/year for 70's and older in 2015) primarily attributed to the propensity of older households purchase of more fruits and vegetables. Further, the largest life cycle greenhouse gases related to food waste was 90.1 kg-CO2eq/year for those in their 60's while the smallest was 39.2 kg-CO2eq/year for 20's and younger. Furthermore, food waste and associated emissions are expected to decline due to future demographic changes imparted by an aging, shrinking population after 2020 until 2040. Specific measures focused on demographic shifts are crucial for Japan and other countries with similar dietary patterns and demographics to achieve related sustainable development goals through suppressing food waste and associated emissions under new dietary regimes.

Sustainable fresh strawberry consumption: environmental, genetically modified food, and climate concerns in Europe and North Africa

Background and gap in the literatureSeasonal strawberries are a tasty fruit with many significant health and environmental benefits. Despite these attributes, the determinants influencing strawberry consumption remain underexplored. Few existing research studies are focused on conventional factors, such as taste, freshness, and price, leaving aside some critical, current dimensions, such as consumers’ environmental attitude, sustainability, genetically modified (GM) food knowledge, and climate change concerns. This article aims to explore the impact of the aforementioned factors on the purchasing behavior of strawberries among consumers.MethodologyA designed questionnaire for a final sample of 2,378 consumers from Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, and Morocco was used to collect data about sociodemographic attributes, strawberry purchasing habits, respondents’ level of knowledge on the topic of GM food, and climate change issue. The generalized ordinal logistic approach was performed deriving from the ordinal qualitative type of our two variables of interest (seasonal and non-seasonal strawberries purchase) and relaxing the assumption of parallel lines.Main resultsFrom the sociodemographic factors, the more educated individuals, living in urban areas and having higher income levels are more likely to purchase frequently seasonal strawberries, while older people buy less often non-seasonal strawberries. Individuals who are more aware of sustainability issues, exhibit sustainable behaviors, and have greater concerns about climate change are more likely to buy non-seasonal strawberries less frequently, which is the most important result of our analysis.ImplicationsThese results offer a comprehensive understanding of other drivers than the conventional ones related to seasonal and non-seasonal strawberry purchase patterns, giving significant insights for policymakers in formulating tailored interventions for other dimensions: promoting sustainable agricultural practices (following the seasonality of the fruit), increasing consumer awareness about the environmental implications of the non-seasonal fruit purchases, and shifting individual eating patterns toward more sustainable and healthy ones (fresh and seasonal fruit consumption).

Single-Person Households: Insights from a Household Survey of Fruit and Vegetable Purchases.

Despite the efforts made to promote consumption, some countries are not increasing their fruit and vegetable intake, while household structures are undergoing relevant changes. Fruit and vegetable consumption is necessary but not sufficient for a healthy diet. Previous research has linked adequate fruit and vegetable consumption to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and some mental health conditions. Furthermore, millions of deaths are reported annually worldwide due to diets low in fruit and vegetables, highlighting their critical public health importance. This study aims to separately analyze the purchases of fruit and vegetables in single-person households. We used three waves of the Family Budget Survey, Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares, in Chile, which is nationally representative of urban areas and includes over 10,000 households in each wave. We employed descriptive statistics to examine the characteristics of the head of household and the food shopper as well as the structure, composition, and overall characteristics of households. Additionally, we performed separate analyses for fruit and vegetable purchases, using these variables to determine the marginal effect on the probability of purchasing fruit or vegetables through probit models. Results show that, from 2011-2012 to 2021-2022, the share of households not purchasing fruit and vegetables increased from 5.0% to 8.4% and that, in single-person households, it rose from 11.2% to 19.1%. Male-headed, single-person households with low education and income were more likely not to purchase fruit, and these households also have decreasing vegetable purchases. Additionally, household income significantly impacts fruit purchases but does not significantly affect vegetable purchases. Our findings highlight the importance of considering single-person households as a target population segment for future public policies to promote fruit and vegetable consumption.

Impact of COVID – 19 on Frequency of Food Purchase in Families of Andhra Pradesh

The study was undertaken to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the frequency of food purchases in families in Andhra Pradesh. An ex post facto research design was adopted for the study. The study comprised a 360-person sample of families covering both urban and rural areas of three districts of Andhra Pradesh in all three time periods (before, during, and after the pandemic). The frequency of food purchases was used to assess whether there was any change in purchasing patterns in all three time periods among families. The frequency of purchasing food groups was also studied. The results showed that purchasing frequency varied among the families. Comparison of purchasing pattern between the three time periods showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the purchasing pattern of millets. Non-significantly correlated food groups were pulses, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, vegetables, milk and milk products, chicken, meat, eggs, fish, sugars, dry fruits, sweets and savories and coffee powder, during three time periods. During the pandemic period, an increase in frequency of purchase was seen in millets and pulses was seen while there was no change in purchasing pattern of cereals and nuts. A decrease in consumption of chicken and sugars was observed. In the post-pandemic period, an increase in frequency of purchase in meat and eggs was noted, and a decrease was noted in purchase of millets and fruits.

Sustainable Foods: Consumer Opinions and Behaviour towards Organic Fruits in Poland

By producing high quality food with a low environmental impact, organic farming plays an essential role in developing sustainable food systems. Over time, consumer interest in organic food is systematically growing, which results in a generally positive attitude towards organic products. Many studies that are devoted to analysing organic food consumers’ behaviour aim to generalise the studied trends to the population of a given country or region. Given the varying rates of organic market development between countries, there is a need for more narrowly focused research, which could more profoundly facilitate local development of organic market. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of Polish consumers about organic fruit and to identify the socioeconomic and sociodemographic determinants of the propensity to choose and purchase organic fruit. Respondents were recruited via a market research agency using a consumer access panel. To collect responses, a formal, structured questionnaire was developed and distributed using the CAWI method. The general acceptance of price increases for organic apples amounts to less than around 30% (89% of responses). The effect of income and package size tend to interact with regard to the purchase preference of apples (p < 0.001). The highest frequency of organic fruit purchases were indicated for physical stores, in particular supermarkets (5.35 times/month, 95%CI). A relationship between willingness to consume organic fruits and the self-described economic situation (p = 0.005), as well as true household income (p = 0.007), has been shown. A relationship between the frequency of organic fruit purchases and the number of household members (p = 0.006), as well as number of household members under the age of 18 (p = 0.011), has also been shown. Marketing techniques for organic products should emphasize family welfare and be directed at younger consumers, especially at retail outlets where customers are most likely to buy them, namely physical supermarkets, local grocery stores and discount stores.

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

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

Associations of Increased WIC Benefits for Fruits and Vegetables With Food Security and Satisfaction by Race and Ethnicity.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutrition support for racially and ethnically diverse populations. In 2021, the monthly cash value benefit (CVB) for the purchase of fruits and vegetables increased from $9 to $35 and was later adjusted to $24. This study investigated, by racial and ethnic groups, whether CVB increases were associated with increases in CVB redemption, household food security, child fruit and vegetable intake, satisfaction with CVB amount, and likelihood of continued participation in WIC if the CVB returned to $9 per month. We conducted a longitudinal study of WIC participants (N = 1,770) in southern California at 3 time points, from April 2021 through May 2022; the CVB amount was $9 at baseline, $35 at Survey 2, and $24 at Survey 3. Racial and ethnic groups were Hispanic English-speakers, Hispanic Spanish-speakers, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Other, and non-Hispanic White. We used mixed-effect and modified Poisson regressions to evaluate outcomes by group. At baseline, groups differed significantly in dollars of CVB redeemed, percentage of CVB redeemed, household food security, and satisfaction with CVB amount. After the increase in CVB, we found increases in all groups in CVB redemption, household food security, and satisfaction. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic English-speaking groups, who had low levels of satisfaction at baseline, had larger increases in satisfaction than other groups. Reported likelihood of continued WIC participation if the monthly CVB returned to $9 also differed significantly by group, ranging from 62.5% to 90.0%. The increase in CVB for children receiving WIC benefited all racial and ethnic groups. Continued investment in an augmented CVB could improve health outcomes for a racially and ethnically diverse WIC population.

Nudging healthy food choices through e-messages in a supermarket.

This paper analyses the impact of a healthy food nudge intervention on purchases of 1590 customers of a supermarket chain's loyalty program in Uruguay through a randomized controlled trial. Nudges were presented in the form of messages sent through WhatsApp to customers three times a week for 8weeks (between July and September 2020). Messages highlighted the benefits of cooking at home and eating mindfully and healthy (vegetables, fruits, healthy snacks, legumes, and fish), and included easy to implement tips. Results show that, on average, customers assigned to the treatment group increased their purchases of healthy food by 8% and substituted sugar-sweetened for sugar-free beverages. We find an unintended increase in purchases of unhealthy food of 7%, with no correlative increase in calories, suggesting that customers substituted higher calorie products for lower calorie ones. We find that households with lower educational attainment, lower income, and with children under the age of 12 are more likely to increase purchases of fruits and vegetables, while other households are more likely to improve the diet quality without increasing expenditure. Effects do not persist after the intervention is over, suggesting that salience, rather than information is the main channel triggering the effects.

Risk-indicative or sustainable consumption? Consumers’ risk perception on conventional and organic food products in Poland

The consumption of organic food is becoming increasingly popular and, to avoid numerous threats to human health and the natural environment, the issues devoted to it require greater attention from decision-makers, producers, and consumers. Consumer decisions have an impact on shaping food consumption patterns and recently the trend of the consumption of conventional versus organic food products has been widely discussed. This is especially true given the fact that the area of human health is strongly related to the consumption of food products produced under the challenges of environmental protection and sustainability. The study aimed to investigate if the perception of consumption among Polish respondents was risk-indicative or sustainable based on the animal, fruit, and vegetable products purchased from conventional or organic production. The results revealed that fruit and vegetable consumption was not identically related with socio-demographic features, but the income level equally affected consumer choices regarding the purchase of organic food products. Gender and marital status only influenced decisions regarding the purchase of organic fruit. The consumption of animal products regarding the frequency of their consumption did not reveal the features of sustainability. The metal accumulation index (MAI) for conventionally cultivated vegetables was not higher for all of the investigated vegetables, namely pumpkin, spring onion, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, and garlic. Our study contributes to addressing the knowledge gap on consumer choices about organic food products in Poland.

Eco-safe composite edible coating of hydrocolloids with papaya leaf extract improves postharvest quality and shelf life of papaya fruit under ambient storage.

Papaya postharvest management using low-temperature storage is discouraged as it is a tropical fruit. Extensive research is going on to preserve papaya quality at ambient storage using edible coatings and its composites. The present investigation examined the effects of an eco-safe composite edible coating consisting of hydrocolloid carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (1%), guar gum (1.5%), xanthan gum (0.3%), and Gum Arabic (10%) combined with papaya leaf extract (PLE) (1:1 ratio by volume) applied as dip treatment on "Red Lady" papaya fruit at ambient storage condition. Among all the attempted treatments, "PLE incorporated with CMC (1%)" was found to be the best, as the treated fruit exhibited the highest levels of biochemicals, whereas the lowest levels of physiological and enzymatic activity, which positively affected the shelf life. The "CMC+PLE" treatment enhanced the fruit gloss score by 70.1%, phenolics by 6.1%, ascorbic acid by 22.3%, total carotenoid content by 7.4%, and fruit predilection score by 22.0% over the control fruit. However, it lowered (controlling) the physiological loss in weight by 51.0%, decay incidence by 66.6%, and polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase activity by 24.92% and 35.29%, respectively, over control. Moreover, this treatment exhibited the highest fruit purchase predilection score and prolonged the storage life for >3 days on the physiological loss standard basis (≤10%). This study indicates that "CMC (1%) with PLE (1:1)" composite coating application on papaya under ambient conditions might be an effective, environmentally friendly, and health-friendly way to retain the quality and extend the storage life.

Principal Component Analysis to Analyze the Factors Influencing the Purchase of Organic Fruits and Vegetables in Telangana

Principal Component Analysis to Analyze the Factors Influencing the Purchase of Organic Fruits and Vegetables in Telangana

The Influence of Consumer Motivation on Fruit Purchase Decisions

Fruits are one type of annual horticultural plant that is commonly known to the public and consumed as additional food ingredients with good properties for body health. Fruit commodities play an important role in increasing nutritional levels in the food needed by everyone, because in fruits contain many vitamins and minerals which are important nutritional components needed by the body. This study aims to determine the influence between consumer motivation on fruit purchase decisions. The research location was carried out in Pasar Minggu, Palimanan District, Cirebon Regency from May to June 2023 with the object of research being fruit consumers with a sample of 50 respondents. The design in this study used quantitative methods with data collection using questionnaire instruments. The data used are primary data and secondary data. The data analysis used is descriptive analysis, multiple linear analysis, t test analysis, f test analysis and coefficient of determination. The results of a simple linear regression analysis produce a regression equation that is Y = 13.046 + 0.809X + e which means that every addition of 1% motivation will increase purchasing decisions by 0.809 kg and the value of the coefficient of determination of 0.517 which indicates consumer motivation affects purchasing decisions by 51.7%. The calculated F value of 53.454 is greater than the F table of 4.034, the Significance value of 0.000 is less than the Significance level of 0.050 and the calculated T value of 7.311 is greater than the T table 2.007, thus indicating the influence of consumer motivation on purchasing decisions

Increased WIC Benefits for Fruits and Vegetables Increases Food Security and Satisfaction Among California Households with Young Children.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a critical source of nutrition support for young children in low-income families, providing access to healthy foods and a cash value benefit (CVB) for the purchase of fruits and vegetables (FV). In 2021, the WIC CVB increased substantially for women and children aged 1 to 5 years. To investigate whether or not the increased WIC CVB for purchasing FV was associated with greater redemption of the FV benefit, satisfaction, household food security, and child FV intake. Longitudinal study of WIC participants receiving WIC benefits from May 2021 through May 2022. Through May 2021, the WIC CVB for children aged 1 to 4 years was $9/month. The value increased to $35/month from June through September 2021, and changed to $24/month starting October2021. WIC participants from seven WIC sites in California with one or more child aged 1 to 4 years during May 2021 and one or more follow-up surveys during September 2021 or May 2022 (N= 1,770). CVB redemption (in US dollars), satisfaction with the amount (prevalence), household food security (prevalence), and child FV intake (cups per day). Associations of increased CVB issuance following the June 2021 CVB augmentation with child FV intake and CVB redemption were assessed using mixed effects regression, and associations with satisfaction and household food security were assessed using modified Poisson regression. The increased CVB was associated with significantly greater redemption and satisfaction. At the second follow-up (May 2022), household food security increased by 10% (95% CI 7% to 12%); total FV intake decreased by 0.03 c/day (95% CI -0.06 to -0.01) in the overall sample, but increased by 0.23 c/day (95% CI 0.17 to 0.29) among children with the lowest baseline FV intake. This study documented benefits of augmentation to the CVB for children. WIC policy augmenting the value of WIC food packages to increase access to FV had the intended effects, lending support to making the increased FV benefit permanent.

ANALYSIS OF DEMAND FOR FRUITS AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

Fruits and vegetables’ consumption is germane in obtaining food and nutritional security but, its consumption is far below the minimum nutritive recommendation in Nigeria. Thus, this study analyzed the demand for fruits among households in Kwara State. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 300 respondents. A well-structured interview schedule was used to collect information on socio-economic features, types of fruits consumed, frequency of consumption, consumption patterns, demand for fruits and factors influencing the demand for fruits in Kwara. Descriptive statistics and Linear Approach Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS) were used to achieve the research objectives. Majority (80%) of the respondents were males with a mean age and monthly income of 51 years and N56, 381 respectively. The study revealed that mango is the most frequently consumed fruit with mean score of 3.29, this was narrowly followed by cashew (2.97), Banana (2.69), Watermelon (2.66), Orange (2.59), Cherry (2.12), while Pineapple (2.06) is the least frequently consumed fruit. The consumption pattern indicated that respondents earn an average income of N56, 227 and they spent most (49.79%) of their incomes on food and least (8.48%) on fruits. LA-AIDS showed positive and significant cross parameter. The demand for fruits was influenced by perception, level of income, and storage facilities with the mean score of 3.69, 3.65, and 3.65 respectively. The study therefore recommends the need to change the perception of the people through aggressive sensitization on the benefits inherent in fruits consumption. Policies and strategies towards making efficient storage facilities available to households to enhance bulk purchases of fruits should be encouraged.
 

Who is Paying More for Organic Food? - Evidence from a Developing Country Considering Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Consumers

This paper addresses the willingness to pay an additional price for the purchase of organic fruits and vegetables by analyzing the factors that influence consumers in their choice. To carry out this research, we studied consumer behaviour in the Gjirokastra region. At first, through questionnaires, primary quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The data were analyzed through SPSS software version 21. The questionnaire feedback was analyzed with descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics combined with comparative interquartile analysis, for which comparative box plots were used. To evaluate the influence of independent variables on the willingness to pay an additional price for the purchase of organic fruits and vegetables, we used the multivariate linear regression model. Multivariate regression is used for the explanation and prediction of the behaviour or levels of a variable or phenomenon, when one or several other variables, which are thought or proven to be related or influence over it, change to a certain extent or direction. At the end of the paper, it was found that socio-demographic factors have a significant impact on the willingness to pay an additional price for organic products.

Impact of a financial incentive scheme on purchase of fruits and vegetables from unorganised retailers in rural India: a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables is prevalent in rural areas of India, where around 65% of the population reside. Financial incentives have been shown to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables in urban supermarkets, but their feasibility and effectiveness with unorganised retailers in rural India is unclear. A cluster-randomised controlled trial of a financial incentive scheme involving ∼20% cashback on purchase of fruits and vegetables from local retailers was conducted in six villages (3535 households). All households in three intervention villages were invited to participate in the scheme which ran for three months (February-April 2021), while no intervention was offered in control villages. Self-reported (pre-intervention and post-intervention) data on purchase of fruits and vegetables were collected from a random sub-sample of households in control and intervention villages. A total of 1109 households (88% of those invited) provided data. After the intervention, the weekly quantity of self-reported fruits and vegetables purchased were (i) 18.6kg (intervention) and 14.2kg (control), baseline-adjusted mean difference 4kg (95% CI:-6.4 to 14.4) from any retailer (primary outcome); and (ii) 13.1kg (intervention) and 7.1kg (control), baseline-adjusted mean difference 7.4kg (95% CI: 3.8-10.9) from local retailers participating in the scheme (secondary outcome). There was no evidence of differential effects of the intervention by household food security or by socioeconomic position, and no unintended adverse consequences were noted. Financial incentive schemes are feasible in unorganised food retail environments. Effectiveness in improving diet quality of the household likely hinges on the percentage of retailers willing to participate in such a scheme. This research has been funded by the Drivers of Food Choice (DFC) Competitive Grants Program, which is funded by the UK Government's Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and managed by the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, USA; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK Government's official policies.

Experiences of Farmers Market Vendors in a Healthy Food Incentive Program.

Healthy food incentive programs for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants, often implemented in farmers markets, have shown promise in improving the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, variation in program context, program strategies, and participant populations has produced gaps in knowledge about which healthy food incentive program implementation strategies are most effective, and few studies have focused on farmers market vendors' experiences. This study evaluated experiences of farmers market vendors who participated in the Northwest Arkansas Double Your Dollars (NWA DYD) healthy food incentive program intended to increase access to healthy foods for local Hispanic/Latino and Marshallese community members with low incomes. Data were collected from a convenience sample of vendors participating in NWA DYD at the three largest participating markets on the last Saturday in October 2021. Program staff collected quantitative, categorical, and open-ended data through face-to-face surveys. Forty-one vendors completed the survey. Vendors believed NWA DYD was beneficial and easy to use, expanded their customer base, and increased participation of Hispanic/Latino and Marshallese shoppers. Vendors also identified challenges in participation related to administrative burdens and delayed reimbursements. Vendors did not identify NWA DYD as a driver for expanded production for the upcoming growing season. Vendors' experiences at NWA DYD provide implications for others interested in implementing effective healthy food incentive programs. Improving access to farmers markets through effective healthy food incentive programs is an important step toward increasing consumption of fresh, healthy foods among communities with low incomes facing elevated prevalence of chronic disease.

Study the Contamination Level of Organochlorine Pesticides in Fruits During Summer Season

Fruits have nutritional value, but they can also be sources of toxic contaminants, such as pesticide residues. Pesticides used for fruit production results in increased health risks and health costs, humiliation of the environment and productivity loss. This research aimed to conduct to estimate presence of pesticide residues in summer season fruit purchase from local market. Pesticides were precisely detected in fruit samples collected from the market and the technique (GC-ECD) was used for analyzing and studying organochlorine pesticides in three fruits of the summer season, i.e., (plum, kiwi fruit and pineapple). The maximum residual limits (MRLs) values were compared with pesticide concentrations. In fruit sample, mean values of pesticide concentration residues were found. All fruits were found to be contaminated with pesticides. The concentrations of monitoring pesticides were less than the (MRL) values. However, the severe health problems may be created by the regular eating of pesticide infected fruits. It can be concluded that the periodical monitoring of fruits for pesticide residues is essential to evaluating their contamination grade and producing awareness on the health hazards involved in pesticide misuse.

IMPACTO DEL DESARROLLO DE HUERTAS FAMILIARES ACOMPAÑADAS DE EDUCACIÓN ALIMENTARIA NUTRICIONAL EN FAMILIAS EN SITUACIÓN DE VULNERABILIDAD

Introduction: Within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, and given the situation in Argentina, there is a high number of people who experience food insecurity. This can lead to the development of acute and chronic diseases and can even increase mortality. To address this situation in the La Granja neighborhood in Ciudad de la Plata, the project "Collective construction of healthy and sustainable habits" was developed and implemented in order to promote consumption and improve access to quality food, through the development of family gardens, accompanied by food and nutrition education. Objective: to evaluate the impact on the eating pattern of an intervention based on the development of family gardens accompanied by food-nutritional education. Methods: A longitudinal descriptive study was carried out with vulnerable families from the La Granja neighborhood of the City of La Plata in the context of social and preventive isolation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The inputs were provided for the development of a family garden and material on nutrition and nutrition education for remote management was provided to teachers of school N.º 22 and coordinators of the Iris club of the La Granja neighborhood, in the City of La Plata. A self-administered questionnaire on eating habits was carried out at the beginning and at 6 months. Basic statistics, the Mann Whitney and Mc Nemar tests were performed; we consider significant the value of p=0.05. Results: 77 families completed the program, we observed an increase in the number of meals eaten per day (p=0.03); the frequency of consumption of vegetables (p=0.05) and fruits (p=0.06) increased (does not include potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn). The consumption of legumes also increased (p=0.09). These foods are the most deficient in our diet according to ENNYS 2 data. A reduction in oil consumption was observed (p=0.04), possibly related to the cost of this product. The purchase of fruits and vegetables during these 6 months presented a significant reduction (p=0.043). In addition, obtaining them from home gardens and community kitchens increased (p < 0.0001). The increase in families attending community kitchens is probably related to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Conclusions: The implementation of family gardens accompanied by remote food-nutritional education in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic is a valid strategy for improving the food-nutritional pattern of families in vulnerable situations. Keywords: vegetable garden; food-nutrition education; COVID-19; food.

Integrated Digital Payment, Digital Marketing, and Pricing Perception for Decision Purchase of Fruits and Vegetables E-Commerce

Information technology advancements have made it easier for people to carry out daily tasks such as shopping for necessities, including fruits and vegetables that are consumed daily. The objective of this research is to assess how online sales of fruits and vegetables are affected by digital marketing strategies, digital payment options, and pricing. This study uses quantitative data research. This research employs descriptive and verification analysis as its method of data analysis. A descriptive analysis is conducted with respondents using questionnaires to obtain a description of the research variables. SmartPLS is the technique used to verify data—an e-commerce fruit and vegetable consumer sample of 384 respondents. The study results indicate that digital payment and digital marketing variables significantly impact online vegetable and fruit purchasing decisions. Digital payment and digital marketing variables do not significantly affect the prices of vegetables and fruits in e-commerce. The variable of price does not act as a mediator in purchasing decisions.