Factors Affecting Food Choice. Flashcards
What is a personal factor?
Examples
Food shopping decisions can be influenced by a consumer’s personal characteristics and circumstances such as their age,personality,likes and dislikes,occupation,lifestyle and the amount of free time available.
A school child may want a packed lunch they can eat quickly.
A business person may entertain clients over a leisurely meal at a restaurant.
A confident person may experiment with new food trends and purchase ingredients which are unusual or new to the marketplace.
Adults are often loyal to the supermarket chain and the brands that were most frequently used by their family when they were growing up.
Teenagers often take on the attitudes and values of their peer group; this can impact on their food choices and the eating patterns they adopt.
For example Domino’s and McDonalds are extremely popular with children and young people.
What is a social factor?
Examples
The effects that other people have on us are called social influences.
Most obviously, we are influenced by our family (influencing traditional family dishes, routines and likes/dislikes), friends and any groups we identify with, for example, church groups or sports teams.
Many shopping decisions are a mixture of social interaction and individual decision-making.
Shops often use social factors in their marketing campaigns
What is an economic factor?
Examples
These have a huge influence on shopping. During periods of economic growth, when wages increase, access to credit is easy and consumer confidence is high, retailers make large profits as people shop more frequently and often buy on impulse.
It is very difficult during periods of economic decline.
Disposable income decreases, the cost of living increases and shopping patterns become more focused, as consumers must ensure that they meet their needs before they spend on wants. (Recession)
When consumer confidence is high, due to economic growth, there is an increase in consumer spending. Many families are able to afford more ‘luxury’ items, such as ready meals, takeaways and eating out in restaurants.
People’s income decreases for various reasons, for example, because of unemployment or ill health (which stops them working) or when they retire. For many consumers a drop in income means they need to reduce expenditure. They may review their spending and cut back on the luxuries and treats; may need to develop a food shopping budget and shop around for the best deals available for example supermarket own brands – Tesco Value.
Tips for saving money when food shopping?
Buy in bulk.
Skip special offers.
Bring a list.
Check the price and see if you can get it cheaper elsewhere.
What is an ethical factor?
Examples
Consumers may consider the welfare of the people,animals and communities involved in making or providing food.
Concerns about animal welfare may mean free-range eggs are bought instead of eggs from battery hens,that dolphin-free tuna is purchased or organic chicken.
Fair trade products may be purchased to ensure no child labour is involved in the food production, that workers are given a fair wage and that money is invested in the local community.
What is an environmental factor?
Examples
As consumers we are encouraged to consider environmental factors when purchasing food.
Does the food production process use a lot of energy?
Can the food packaging be recycled?
What is the global impact of the food production,processing,transportation and storage,in particular with regards to food miles,climate change and sustainability?
A consumer could choose to buy local foods to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment.
Another consumer may buy organic food to protect the environment from the effects of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides.
What is a health issue?
Examples
A consumer may avoid foods due to medical reasons or to prevent disease.
The impact which health issues has on food shopping depends on the individual consumer’s interest in their own health and well-being.
If a consumer is lactose intolerant they will have to limit/avoid dairy foods and look for alternative sources of calcium in their diet.
Consumers who have high cholesterol should eat more oily fish,fruits and vegetables,nuts and seeds.
Eat less cakes and biscuits,butter,lard.
The fair trade foundation standards?
Fair prices to producers- this ensures that producers receive a consistent and reasonable price for the goods they produce. This should cover all production costs and reflect the current market price for that product.
Community investment- to enable producers to improve their living and working conditions, the ‘fairtrade premium’ is paid into a collective fund to be invested in community improvements.
Safe and healthy working conditions- choosing fairtrade means that producer’s experience a safe and healthy environment. Forced and child labour are prohibited and equality is encouraged.
Environmental protection- fairtrade promotes environmental protection offering training in areas including: resource management, recycling, effective waste management and encourages an awareness of green farming techniques.
What is the soil association?
The soil association is a charity registered with the charity commission campaigning for planet-friendly food and farming.
If you see the symbol then it means that the food has been produced sustainably.
Animals have enjoyed free-range, high-welfare lives.
The soil association promotes:
Biodiversity.
Recycling.
Reduction of waste.
Animal welfare.
It prohibits the use of unnecessary additives, pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
What is the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb quality assurance scheme?
It was developed to give consumers assurances about the source of meat and lamb that was entering the food chain.
It’s about farm quality- the quality of the production methods used, the quality of care for the animals, the quality of the farm environment, and above all the quality of concern for the customer in producing beef and lamb which is wholesome,safe and free from unnatural substances.
What is the Bord Bia quality mark?
This quality assurance scheme informs consumers about the safety and traceability of food produced and processed in the Republic of Ireland.
It covers foods such as: meat, fruits and vegetables and eggs.
It covers food safety and standards with regards to:
Animal health and welfare.
Traceability.
Food processing and manufacturing.
Farm safety and hygiene.
Environment management.
What are 2 methods of advertising?
Media- newspaper,magazine,tv,cinema,product placement.
Social media and online- tracking cookies,personal advertising,facebook/instagram adverts,pop ups.
Why do advertisements influence food choices?
They develop increased levels of product recognition and awareness among consumers.
Advertising can be used to develop awareness of a specific product or particular brand; to communicate the qualities and benefits of specific foods; inform customers about a new product or remind them about an existing product and to generate repeat purchases.
