Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T08:33:28.306Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Characteristics of Organic Food Shoppers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Lydia Zepeda
Affiliation:
Department of Consumer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Jinghan Li
Affiliation:
Department of Consumer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI

Abstract

Data from a national survey of food shoppers are analyzed by probit and ordered probit models that incorporate elements of Lancaster's product attribute model and Weinstein's precaution adoption process. The models are used to investigate the characteristics of organic and nonorganic food shoppers. Where one shops, food beliefs, and food knowledge have the largest significant impact on the probability that shoppers buy organic food. Among the demographic characteristics, only the lack of religious affiliation, higher education, and youth are significant explanatory variables.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2007

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

Brown, C.Consumers' Preferences for Locally Produced Food: A Study in Southeast Missouri.American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 18,4(2003):213–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, C, and Sperow, M.. “Examining the Cost of an All-Organic Diet.Journal of Food Distribution Research 36(2005):2026.Google Scholar
Byrne, P.J., Toensmeyer, U.C., German, C.L., and Muller, H.R.. “Analysis of Consumer Attitude toward Organic Produce and Purchase Likelihood.Journal of Food Distribution Research 22(1991):4960.Google Scholar
Chang, H.S., and Zepeda, L.. “Consumer Perceptions and Demand for Organic Food in Australia: Focus Group Discussion.Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 20,3(2005):155–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davies, A., Titterington, A.J., and Cochrane, C.. “Who Buys Organic Food? A Profile of the Purchasers of Organic Food in Northern Ireland.British Food Journal 97(1995):1723.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dillman, D.A.Mail and Telephone Surveys: The Total Design Method. New York: Wiley & Sons, 1978.Google Scholar
Dimitri, C, and Greene, C.. Recent Growth Patterns in the U. S. Organic Foods Market. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Agriculture Information Bulletin No. AIB777. 2002.Google Scholar
Goldman, B.J., and Clancy, K.L.. “A Survey of Organic Produce Purchases and Related Attitudes of Food Cooperative Shoppers.American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 6(1991):8996.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Greene, W.Limdep Version 8.0 Reference Guide. Plainview, NY: Econometric Software, Inc., 2002.Google Scholar
Kortbech-Olesen, R.Market.” The World of Organic Agriculture 2003-Statistics and Future Prospects, Yussefi, M. and Wilier, H. eds. Bonn, Germany: International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, 2003.Google Scholar
Lancaster, K.A New Approach to Consumer Theory.Journal of Political Economy 7(1966):132–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lockie, S., Lyons, K., Lawrence, G., and Mummery, K.. “Eating ‘Green’: Motivations behind Organic Food Consumption in Australia.Sociologia Ruralis 42(2002):2330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shaffer, E.Organic Produce Sales Climb.” Fresh Trends. Overland Park, KS: Vance Publishing, 2002.Google Scholar
Storstad, O., and Bjerkhaug, H.. “Foundations of Production and Consumption of Organic Food in Norway.Agriculture and Human Values 20(2003):151–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swanson, R.B., and Lewis, C.E.. “Alaskan Direct-Market Consumers: Perception of Organic Produce.Home Economics Research Journal 22(1993):138–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, G.International Consumer Demand for Organic Foods.HortTechnology 10(2000):663–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, G.D., and Kidwell, J.. “Explaining the Choice of Organic Produce: Cosmetic Defects, Prices, and Consumer Preferences.American Journal of Agricultural Economics 80(1998):277–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tregear, A., Dent, J.B., and McGregor, M.J.. “The Demand for Organically-Grown Produce.British Food Journal 96(1994):2125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turnbull, G.Report on Consumer Behaviour in Purchasing of Organic Food Products in Australia.” Masters thesis, Faculty of Business, University of Southern Queensland, 2000. Internet site: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/business/1541.html#l (Accessed October 15, 2004).Google Scholar
Weinstein, N.D.The Precaution Adoption Process.Health Psychology 7(1988):355–86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wier, M., and Andersen, L.M.. “Consumer Demand for Organic Foods – Attitudes, Values and Purchasing Behaviour.”, Newsletter from Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming, 2003(2)(2003), Internet site: http://www.darcof.dk/enews/jun03/consum.html (Accessed October 29, 2003).Google Scholar
Wilkins, J.L., and Hillers, V.. “Influences of Pesticide Residue and Environmental Concerns on Organic Preference among Food Cooperative Members and Non-Members in Washington State.Journal of Nutrition Education 26(1994):2633.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Willer, H., and Yussefi, M.. “The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends.” Bonn, Germany: International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, 2004. Internet site: http.V/orgprints.org/00002555/ (Accessed October 15, 2004).Google Scholar
Zepeda, L., Chang, H.S., and Leviten-Reid, C.. “Organic Food Demand: A Focus Group Study Involving Caucasian and African-American Shoppers.Agriculture and Human Values 23,3(2006):385–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar