Pandemic spurs preference for local produce (Survey)
Consumers are making a notable effort to purchase homegrown fruits and veggies during the pandemic, according to a new survey by The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA).
The survey of 1,001 Ontario grocery shoppers, conducted by Leger, found that 44% of shoppers changed their produce-shopping behaviour during the pandemic. One of the biggest shifts was the intention to purchase local produce. While 69% of respondents said they usually look for local produce at any time, since the pandemic started 36% of all shoppers report they have made more of an effort to buy local.
“Far and away the primary reason for
The findings indicate a small shift in frequency of shopping, with the average being five times per month, down from six times. While trips are down, people still prefer to buy produce in store: seven in 10 respondents said they buy produce in-person at conventional grocery stores, 56% shop at discount stores and 40% mentioned big box stores. “While a lot more people are shopping online for groceries, people still say they’re reluctant to shop online for produce,” says Broom.
More than half of respondents (51%) report seeking out fair trade produce when shopping. And when it comes to organics, 14% of produce is purchased in the organic section, and 85% of organic buyers said the amount of organic produce they purchase has not changed.
Plastic packaging in the fruit and veggie aisles remains a hot topic. Almost nine in 10 shoppers believe it should be reduced, while 66% think it should be eliminated altogether. Despite this, most agree that it’s important for food safety and reducing food waste. “Before the pandemic, there was such a consumer push for reduction of plastic for environmental reasons,” says Broom. “That attitude is still quite high.”
For grocery retailers, there’s a prime opportunity to take advantage of locally minded consumers. “If