Sustainable Food Consumption : – Attitudes towards Swedish locally produced food and ingredients

The food sector significantly contributes to climate change through excessive use of natural resources, increased transportation and food waste. Increased domestic food production and consumption has the potential to positively impact both the environment and Sweden’s resilience capacity. To increase the consumption of Swedish locally produced foods, a change in consumption pattern is needed. The purpose of the study was to examine consumer attitudes towards sustainably produced Swedish food, as well as identify key drivers influencing purchasing decisions. Data were collected through an online survey distributed to Swedish consumers over 18 years, resulting in 362 valid responses from across the country. The result reveals some geographical differences, with consumers in northern Sweden showing a greater willingness to purchase locally produced foods, while no significant differences were found between men and women regarding attitudes. However, food prices and access to sustainable options were identified as critical factors influencing consumption behavior. A common factor among respondents to increase Swedish consumption was the importance of improved accessibility, greater knowledge and lower food prices. Although people have a general awareness of the benefits of domestic food production and national resilience capacity, there appears to be a gap in the understanding that individual choices are important drivers of systematic change. The study concludes that despite the low frequency in answers, political measures are necessary to increase the consumption of Swedish locally produced food. These should focus not only on shifting attitudes but also on removing structural barriers and enabling sustainable choices for all consumers.