Consumer Perception and Preference towards Sustainable Food in India

Consumer attitudes, perceptions, and preferences toward sustainable food arc examined in this study, including consumer attitudes toward sustainable food in general and their preference for organic food. Additionally, the study examines consumer behaviors and preferences in quick service restaurants (QSR) (home delivery packaging, service ware used in restaurants and for home delivery), as well as deliberate efforts/actions to reduce food waste that plays a significant role in food sustainability. The study's objective is to ascertain consumers' green values, their level of awareness of sustainable food items, their level of concern for environmental issues, the factors that influence their food purchasing decisions, and the barriers to purchasing sustainable food. It also highlights the consumer's packaging preference, their perception of the impact of sustainability on food, and their practice of food waste through the use of a structured questionnaire. The survey gathered data from 219 individuals. Despite low understanding of the availability of the sustainable food and general awareness about sustainability, the participants in the study had shown responsibility and a preference for sustainable food consumption. Respondents had environmental values that could be seen in their responses. This study is contributing to a number of Sustainable Development Goals (such as ending world hunger (SDG:2) and responsible consumption & production (SDG:12) by providing valuable information that governments and corporations can use to achieve those two goals.