Wasted positive intentionsthe role of affection and abundance on household food waste

Resumo

This qualitative study, grounded theory oriented, identifies familial affection and preference for abundance as major drivers of wasted food in lower-middle income American families. These positive intentions provide an improved understanding of household food waste, a problem with high environmental impact and moral implications. Based on empirical data collected with twenty caregivers via in-depth interviews, observations, and analysis of photos, this study provides novel explanations, such as on how stockpiling comfort foods in abundance - a form of both boosting positive self-emotions and showing affection for kids - can promote more wasted food. Other antecedents identified include multiplicity of choices, convenience, procrastination and unplanned routines. In sum, this research identifies a negative outcome of affection and food abundance in the family context, while providing a theoretically relevant general framework to help understand the food waste phenomenon. Authors suggest increasing the awareness of nutritional gatekeepers through behavioral economics principles.

Ficha do documento

Tipo

Artigo científico

Ano

2016

Instituição

Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd

Fonte

Repositório da FGV

Idioma

Inglês

Acesso

Acesso restrito

DOI

10.1080/10454446.2015.1121433

Identificador

oai:repositorio.fgv.br:10438/23658

Temas

Economia

Palavras-chave

Food wasteAffectionAbundanceLow-incomeFood consumptionEconomiaAlimentos - Consumo