About this Research Topic
The concept of sustainability which is composed of three pillars: economic, environmental, and social, needs to become an essential part of the food chain and its functions: production, processing, storage, distribution, and sale. Moreover, sustainability as a choice is embedded in purchasing and consumer behaviors and dimensions of sustainability can also be integrated into food e-commerce. Sustainable consumer behavior is typical by factors and forms- why and how do consumers incorporate sustainability issues into their consumer behavior, including at all stages of the food consumption process? With sustainability in the food chain, we as consumers should be supporting the long-term goal to produce enough food to feed our growing human population on the one hand and, on the other hand, avoid damaging our natural resources and minimizing the food system’s contribution to climate change throughout the production process. Ultimately, we should aim to change consumer behavior to be more sustainable.
Our Research Topic addresses some key issues and is of great importance - not only from the viewpoint of business and consumer practice - but also from the aspect of scientific or applied research. Researchers from all around the world can contribute to the exchange of this knowledge by sharing their methodological approaches, and their definitions of the main problems facing a more sustainable food chain, based on their own experiences, and the needs and priorities of different regions of the world. Our ambition is to inspire readers to explore aspects of sustainability in the food chain and in consumer behavior and, based on scientific research, to propose solutions which could be valuable for policymakers, local administration as well as individual households and consumer units.
Authors are welcome to contribute original research articles or comprehensive review papers for consideration and publication in this Research Topic. The main themes that we would like to see addressed in this Research Topic include:
- Consumer behavior in the food chain, and sustainability marketing as the promotion of environmental and socially responsible products, practices, and brand values;
- Sustainable food production and innovations;
- Sustainability in food retailing;
- Sustainability aspects of local food systems;
- Sustainability and communication;
- Changing consumer behavior and sustainable approaches towards consumption;
- Consumer and household behavior and food waste;
- Consumer studies on forms of sustainable consumer behavior;
- Dimensions of sustainability within food e-commerce.
Our Research Topic addresses some key issues and is of great importance - not only from the viewpoint of business and consumer practice - but also from the aspect of scientific or applied research. Researchers from all around the world can contribute to the exchange of this knowledge by sharing their methodological approaches, and their definitions of the main problems facing a more sustainable food chain, based on their own experiences, and the needs and priorities of different regions of the world. Our ambition is to inspire readers to explore aspects of sustainability in the food chain and in consumer behavior and, based on scientific research, to propose solutions which could be valuable for policymakers, local administration as well as individual households and consumer units.
Authors are welcome to contribute original research articles or comprehensive review papers for consideration and publication in this Research Topic. The main themes that we would like to see addressed in this Research Topic include:
- Consumer behavior in the food chain, and sustainability marketing as the promotion of environmental and socially responsible products, practices, and brand values;
- Sustainable food production and innovations;
- Sustainability in food retailing;
- Sustainability aspects of local food systems;
- Sustainability and communication;
- Changing consumer behavior and sustainable approaches towards consumption;
- Consumer and household behavior and food waste;
- Consumer studies on forms of sustainable consumer behavior;
- Dimensions of sustainability within food e-commerce.
Keywords: Consumer behavior, food chain, local production, local sources, sustainable consumption, environmental issues, social aspects, sustainability marketing
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
