In recent years, the attention of Italians towards ahealthier and more sustainable food, a trend that has strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a survey carried out by Pulsee Luce & Gas Index - the observatory created by Pulsee with the market research company NielsenIQ - on the food sustainabilitynot only emerges a greater commitment to eat in a healthy way, with a low environmental impact (about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to agri-food chains), with more vegetables and less meat, preferring local products, but an increase also attention to waste and saving the packaging, used for example in delivery.
Food sustainability: almost half of Italians choose km 0 products
According to the survey, carried out on a sample of men and women throughout Italy and aged between 18 and 65, 51% of consumers are careful to buy products from a controlled supply chain, 83% buy season, while – surprisingly – 44% choose them at zero kilometer, precisely because they offer greater guarantees of freshness and better organoleptic characteristics due to the absence, or almost, of transport and passage. They are also very popular GMO-free food (42%), biological (37%) and compatible with vegetarian and vegan diets (24%), reducing the consumption of meat and foods of animal origin.
The survey showed that 79% of those interviewed are aware of the link between diet and environmental impact and there are many behaviors implemented to reduce it. In particular, 68% say they pay attention to a philosophy zero waste. The growing trend of flexitarians has been confirmed: 37% have increased their consumption of foods of plant origin, while 41% indicate they have reduced their consumption of red meat.
Food sustainability: recycled packaging
In the case of packaged products, the commitment to sustainability is manifested through the choice of recycled packaging (56% of the sample analysed), as well as correct separate waste collection (94%).
As regards the distribution channels, 30% of those who took part in the survey declare that they turn to small merchants, such as greengrocers and greengrocers, 1% buy directly from producers, while 69% turn to supermarkets where, among other the presence of locally produced fruit and vegetables is growing.
Lack of attention to water
In addition to food, water also plays an important role – as we are learning to understand fromdrought alert – but the data on this are not very encouraging. In fact, 49% of those interviewed admitted that they buy bottled water from large-scale retailers (of which 85% in plastic containers), while 8% personally fill their water bottles at distributors. However, it is interesting to note that 42% use tap water (with or without purification treatment).
Sustainable food: Italians willing to pay more
Italians are also willing to spend more on sustainable food: one in five citizens declares it in the name of higher food quality, while one sixth does so with the intention of getting a fair payment to producers. The value rises to 74% in the case of pet owners who also intend to meet their food needs in a green way.
