CIBO LOCALE E ATTEGGIAMENTI SOSTENIBILI

Abstract

Consumer preferences and purchasing intentions for local food products are constantly changing. These preferences are mainly influenced by various factors such as experiences and personal needs, the levels of perception on dietary trends and on information. The aim of the paper is to understand consumer preferences and their attitude on the ethical and sustainable aspects of local food purchased. 300 consumers were interviewed on two southern Italian regions through a specific questionnaire. After an initial descriptive analysis, data were processed through multivariate analysis models by applying exploratory factor analysis and principal component analysis. The results show how the sensitivity of consumers regarding purchases and therefore consumption is connected to ethical aspects, to the improvement of local and even global environmental conditions. The data also show a particular attention of consumers to food safety, to the desire to support and sustain the local economy. The study therefore seems to confirm the thesis that sees consumers more attentive, aware and sensitive to the issue of environmental sustainability.