Food-related environmental beliefs and behaviours among university undergraduates

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper was to document the food-related environmental beliefs and behaviours of undergraduate university students. More specifically, this research was focussed on determining if environmental sustainability is a consideration in students' food choices, identifying the specific choices and behaviours adopted to reduce their food-related environmental footprint, and documenting the role of gender and pro-environmental values in these food-related environmental beliefs and behaviours. Design/methodology/approach -This research employed a mixed methods approach, i.e. focus group discussions and a survey, to document the food-related environmental beliefs and behaviours of undergraduate university students. The survey was informed by the results of the focus group discussions, and included standard measures of pro-environmental values and worldview. Findings -Results from focus group discussions revealed a broad array of beliefs and behaviours related to the connection between food, food production and the environment. The survey confirmed these results, but indicated a preference for such actions as recycling and reducing food waste in contrast to such alternatives as reducing meat consumption or avoiding processed foods. These results suggest that educational campaigns could focus on strengthening beliefs about the food-environment connection, as well as help to empower students to take a greater variety of actions to reduce their food-related environmental footprint. Originality/value -Relatively little attention has been focussed on individual beliefs and practices with respect to achieving more sustainable food consumption, particularly on university and college campuses. The research also represents a departure from previous work in that it utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methods, and takes a broad approach to the food-environment connection.

We Can’t Keep Meating Like This: Attitudes towards Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in the United Kingdom

“…In a systematic review of consumer perceptions of sustainable protein consumption, Hartmann and Siegrist [37] found that it is common for consumers to underestimate the ecological impact of meat consumption. This has been observed in many different studies [33,[38][39][40] and may imply a lack of knowledge about the environmental impact of meat consumption. Alternatively, this could reflect that consumers are generally unwilling to reduce their meat consumption [40] and are subsequently motivated to minimise their perceptions of the negative consequences of their choices [41].…”

Meat consumption, health, and the environment

“…For example, there is some evidence that repositioning meat options to appear after rather than before vegetarian options on menus or in buffets to make these items more prominent may increase the number of people selecting meat-free meals, but more research is needed (88). Decreasing portion size of meat products in a restaurant has been shown to decrease meat consumption with no detrimental impact on customers' perception of their restaurant experience, perhaps because the meat is a small part of the overall event (89).…”

Heterogeneity in the preferences and pro-environmental behavior of college students: the effects of years on campus, demographics, and external factors

“…Many higher education institutions have implemented sustainability initiatives in recent years (Campbell-Arvai, 2015;Levy and Marans, 2012). Other institutions have faced roadblocks in incorporating sustainability but have an interest in making progress in this area (Larrán et al, 2015;Lidgren et al, 2006;Schmitt-Figueiró and Raufflet, 2015).…”