Local Food Development Perspectives in Latvia: A Value-Oriented View

Kaspars Naglis-Liepa, Liga Paula, Lana Janmere, Dace Kaufmane and Liga Proskina
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Kaspars Naglis-Liepa: Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Economics and Regional Development, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Liga Paula: Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Social and Human Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Lana Janmere: Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Social and Human Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Dace Kaufmane: Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Social and Human Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Liga Proskina: Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Economics and Regional Development, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-30

Abstract: The role of local food products in the food system of West European countries tends to increase. Currently, the economic aspects of food in most of the western world are no longer dominant in decision-making, and consumers are willing to pay more for prosocial food. The present research examines support for prosocial food among consumers in Latvia. A consumer survey conducted in Latvia ( n = 1000) revealed attitudes and behavior in relation to: (a) food and shopping convenience values; (b) economic values; (c) prosocial values of food consumption (local and environmental friendly food). The purpose of the survey was to make quantitative measurements that reveal the main trends in the society of Latvia and what values are important for consumers, depending on their family status, level of education, place of residence and income level. The scientific discourse reveals that more support for prosocial food is observed among higher-income households living in a city which have children and higher education. Surprisingly, the research results did not confirm this. Although the support of this consumer segment for such food is relatively high, it is lower than that of other consumers. Perhaps the explanation should be sought in the broader context of life values, e.g., sentimental feelings caused by travel rather than belongingness to a particular place; or, it is possible that hedonism prevails in the awareness of social and ecological reality and each person’s responsibility for it, which could be further research problems.

Keywords: local food; consumer behavior; prosocial values; food utility; food system development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2589-:d:756901

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