Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T11:51:26.011Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A survey of organic produce purchases and related attitudes of food cooperative shoppers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 1991

Barbara J. Goldman  and
Katherine L. Clancy
Barbara J. Goldman
Affiliation:
Public Health Nutritionist, Hawaii State Department of Health, 75-5260 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa, HI 96725.
Katherine L. Clancy
Affiliation:
Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Management, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244.
Get access

Abstract

We surveyed shoppers at a food cooperative in New York state to measure the relationship between organic produce purchases and attitudes related to pesticide use in agriculture, food costs, and other factors affecting produce buying. Two-fifths of the co-op shoppers surveyed usually or almost always purchased organically grown produce, and one-third were somewhat or very likely to pay 100 percent more than conventional produce for residue-free produce. Those who usually or almost always purchased organic produce were less concerned than other shoppers about price when they shop for produce, had higher levels of concern about food safety, and were less concerned about insects and surface blemishes on produce. There was no relationship between income and frequency of organic purchases. Most shoppers were concerned about pesticide residues in produce, but a high level of concern appeared necessary to affect the frequency of organic purchases. In their support of organic agriculture, respondents ranked environmental protection higher than consumer protection. Educators should emphasize both the environmental and food safety benefits of organic farming to consumers.

Keywords

food safetypesticide residuesconsumer researchorganic farming
Type
Research Article
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , June 1991 , pp. 89 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Axelson, M. L. 1986. The impact of culture on food-related behavior. Annual Review of Nutrition 6:345.Google Scholar
2. Blair, D. 1989. Uncertainties in pesticide risk estimation and consumer concern. Nutrition Today 24(6):13.Google Scholar
3. Blair, D., and Sachs, C.. 1988. Public concerns about pesticides and the safety of the food supply. In Allen, P. and Van Dusen, D. (eds.). Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, Vol. I. Agroecology Program,University of California,Santa Cruz, California.Google Scholar
4. Carmines, E. G., and Zeller, R. A.. 1980. Reliability and Validity Assessment. Sage University Paper Series on Quantitive Applications in the Social Sciences, 07–017. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, California.Google Scholar
5. Clancy, K. L. 1988. Consumer support of sustainable agriculture: Problems and potential solutions. In Allen, P. and Van Dusen, D. (eds.). Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, Vol. I.Agroecology Program, University of California,Santa Cruz, California.Google Scholar
6. Community Nutrition Institute. 1990. Nutrition Week. Vol. XX, No. 35.Google Scholar
7. Dillman, D. A. 1978. Mail and Telephone Surveys. The Total Design Method. John Wiley and Sons, New York, New York.Google Scholar
8. Ehlers, K. M., and Fox, H.. 1982. Food cooperative shoppers: Nutrition knowledge, attitudes and concerns. Journal of the American Dietetics Association 80:160.Google Scholar
9. Feenstra, G. 1988. Who Chooses Your Food? A Study of the Effect of Cosmetic Standards on the Quality of Fresh and Processed Produce. A CALPIRG Project Report.Google Scholar
10. Fjeld, C. R., Sommer, R., Becker, F., and Warholic, J.. 1983. Nutrition knowledge and preferences of food cooperative shoppers. Journal of the American Dietetics Association 82:389.Google Scholar
11. Food Marketing Institute. 1987. Trends Update: 1987 Consumer Attitudes and the Supermarket. Conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. Food Marketing Institute, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
12. Gianessi, L. P., and Greene, C. R.. 1988. The use of pesticides in the production of vegetables: Benefits, risks, alternatives and regulatory policies. Vegetables and Specialities Situation Outlook Report. USDA-ERS TVS-245. September.Google Scholar
13. Gussow, J. D., and Clancy, K. L.. 1986. Dietary guidelines for sustainability. Journal of Nutrition Education 18(1):1.Google Scholar
14. Hawkes, G. R., and Stiles, M. C.. 1986. Attitudes about pesticide safety. California Agriculture 40(5–6):19.Google Scholar
15. Irish, N. A., and Ries, C. P.. 1987. Nutrition information needs and concerns of food cooperative members. Journal of Nutrition Education 19(1):11.Google Scholar
16. Jolly, D. A., Schutz, H. G., Diaz-Knauf, K. V., and Johal, J.. 1989. Organic foods: Consumer attitudes and use. Food Technology 43(11):60.Google Scholar
17. Marshall, W. E. 1974. Health foods, organic foods, natural foods: What they are and what makes them attractive to consumers. Food Technology 28(51):50.Google Scholar
18. National Research Council. 1989. Alternative Agriculture. National Academy Press, Washington, DC. pp. 19–20.Google Scholar
19. Organic Gardening. 1990. The 2nd Annual Organic Index: Tracking America's Preference for Organic Food and a Clean Environment.Google Scholar
20. Penner, K. P., Kramer, C., and Frantz, G. L.. 1983. The Kansas Residue Avoidance Program: Consumer Food Safety Perceptions. A Survey of Consumers in Eight Kansas Counties. Cooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.Google Scholar
21. Pimentel, D., Terhune, E. C., Dritschilo, W., Gallahan, D., Kinner, N., Nafus, D., Peterson, R., Zareh, N., Misiti, J., and Haber-Schaim, O.. 1977. Pesticides, insects in foods, and cosmetic standards. Bioscience 27(3):178.Google Scholar
22. Putnam, J. 1990. USDA ERS National Food Review 13(3):8.Google Scholar
23. Sachs, C., Blair, D., and Richter, C.. 1987. Consumer pesticide concerns: A 1965 and 1984 comparison. Journal of Consumer Affairs 21(1):96.Google Scholar
24. Schutz, H. G., Bruhn, C. M., and Diaz-Knauf, K. V.. 1989. Consumer attitude toward irradiated foods: Effects of labeling and benefits information. Food Technology 43(10):80.Google Scholar
25. Sims, L. S. 1980. Measuring nutrition-related attitudes: State of the art. In Attitudes Theory and Measurement in Food and Nutrition Research. Proceedings of a Symposium. 15–17 June. Pennsylvania State University. Regional Project NE-73.Google Scholar
26. Smallwood, D. 1988. Consumer demand for safer foods. USDA ERS National Food Review 12(3):9.Google Scholar
27. The Packer. 1990. Raley's pulls organic produce. 14 04, 1990.Google Scholar
28. U. S. Bureau of the Census. 1987. Money Income and Poverty Status. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
29. van Ravenswaay, E. 1988. How much food safety do consumers want? In K. L. Clancy (ed.). Consumer Demands in the Marketplace. Public Policies Related to Food Safety, Quality and Human Health. National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy, Resources for the Future, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
30. Vogtmann, H. 1988. Organic foods: An analysis of consumer attitudes in West Germany. In Allen, P. and Van Dusen, D. (eds.). Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, Vol. I.Agroecology Program, University of California,Santa Cruz, California.Google Scholar
31. Woman's Day and Food Marketing Institute. 1980. Second Family Food Study. Nutrition vs. inflation: The battle of the eighties. Conducted by Yankelovitch, Skelly, and White, Inc. pp. 1–200.Google Scholar
32. Yarbrough, P., and Yarbrough, F.. 1985. Pesticides and Related Environmental Issues. A Study of the Opinions and Behaviors of New York Adults. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.Google Scholar
33. Zind, T. 1989. Fresh Trends 1989. The Packer 14:1.Google Scholar