Organic food and university students: a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide information relating to organic food consumption patterns specific to the Canadian population and youth demographic. The primary objective of this pilot study is to investigate the knowledge, consumption patterns and willingness to pay for organic food among the first-year University students enrolled in courses at Brescia University College.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire has been developed by the researchers and distributed to several first-year classes at Brescia University College. The results have been analyzed using Wilcoxon scores (rank sums), Wilcoxon two-sample test, Spearman correlation coefficients and univariate and multivariate regression analyses. A theme analysis has been generated from open-ended questions.

Findings

No significant differences exist between nutrition and non-nutrition students. Attitudes toward organic food and knowledge score significantly impact the consumption patterns and willingness to pay for organic food (p = < 0.0001). Most students indicated that they were willing to pay a premium for organic food and had positive associations with it.

Originality/value

This is the first study relating to this topic and the Canadian population. Results from this study provide baseline data that may be used to conduct future research.

Citation

Hamilton, K. and Hekmat, S. (2018), "Organic food and university students: a pilot study", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 48 No. 2, pp. 218-227. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-06-2017-0127