Sustainable Food Consumption in Rural Households with Children

Abstract

In the face of current challenges such as the contamination and degradation of the natural environment and the finite nature of water, soil and energy resources, it is a growing priority to promote a consumption model that supports the quality of life both of current and future generations. In the case of food, this concept – known as sustainable consumption – assumes a significant increase in the proportion of plant-based, seasonal and local foods in daily diets. Sustainable consumption also counteracts food wastage and losses as well as preventing diseases linked to overeating, such as obesity. Household budget data collected by the Central Statistical Office and presented in this paper indicate that in the Mazovian voivodeship, in households with children aged five to nine years the consumption of most of the food product groups analysed is lower than the Polish average. The consumption of fruit in rural households is also below average compared to urban areas. Only around 9% of respondents knew what the term “sustainable food consumption” meant although two thirds admitted that they talk about household food waste and loss with their children. Results of the questionnaire study show that the main determinants of parents’ food choices are health of the child, taste and the rules of healthy nutrition. The main barriers to behavioural change in order to make food choices more eco-friendly are children’s food preferences, adults’ low knowledge about sustainable consumption recommendations and lack of conversations about the link between food and the environment at home.