Organic food consumption : is it possible to develop public policy? A case study of Medellín

ABSTRACT: in several countries, there is an increasing trend of consumers and distributors of organic food. Objective: to identify consumer motivation, a socioeconomic profile and possible sociopolitical actions for the development of public policy by the consumers of organic products supplied by 12 alternative food distribution networks in Medellín and Eastern Antioquia. Methods: qualitative study with semi-structured interviews and participant and non-participant observation. Results: the main reason for organic food consumption is personal wellbeing, specifically health, followed by care for the environment and social welfare because such consumption contributes to improving the quality of life of poor producers (farmers and indigenous people). The consumption of these foods is also in some cases a form of resistance against the food industry, agroindustry and supermarkets; however, this social awareness does not imply that consumers commit themselves to sociopolitical actions transcending to the collective sphere. Conclusion: action by local governments is required to develop strategies that consolidate the transformative potential of consumer practices regarding organic products from alternative food networks.

• Autores: Álvarez Castaño, Luz Stella; Cadavid Castro, Martha Alicia; Quintero Vergara, Shirley Daniela; Martínez Bedoya, Ximena; Ríos Paniagua, Luisa María
• Tipo de recurso: Article of investigation
• Fecha de publicación: 2019
• Institución: Universidad de Antioquia
• Repositorio: Repositorio UdeA
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:bibliotecadigital.udea.edu.co:10495/12031
• Acceso en línea: http://hdl.handle.net/10495/12031
• Palabra clave: Food; Alimentos; Organics; Orgánicos; Food system; Sistema alimentario; Food habits; Hábitos alimentarios; Community networks; Redes comunitarias
• Rights: openAccess
• License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/co/