Sustainable production and consumption are two important issues, which mutually interact. Whereas individuals have little direct influence on the former, they can play a key role on the latter. This paper describes the subject matter of sustainable consumption and outlines its key features. It also describes some international initiatives in this field.By means of an international survey, the study explores the emphasis given to sustainable consumption during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the degree of preparedness in individuals to engage in the purchase of green and sustainably manufactured products. The main results indicate that the pandemic offered an opportunity to promote sustainable consumption; nevertheless, the pandemic alone cannot be regarded as a 'game changer' in this topic.Apart from an online survey with responses from 31 countries, which makes it one of the most representative studies on the topic, a logit model was used to analyse the main variables that affect the probability of pro-environmental consumption behaviour because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper lists some of the technological and social innovations that may be needed, so as to guide more sustainable consumption patterns in a post-pandemic world. 

/pdf/the-influences-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-sustainable-1t5wjht6.pdf

The influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainable consumption: an international study


 This present research examines the behavioral intentions of Filipinos to use online grocery applications during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. The study proposes an integration of the health belief model (HBM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to identify the factors affecting the acceptance and usage of Filipinos of online grocery applications in terms of the impact of health risk for COVID-19. To accurately measure the factors and their relationship to behavioral intentions and usage behavior, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 373 residents in the Philippines. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied as an analytical method for this study. The results revealed that performance expectancy, perceived benefits, perceived severity, and cues to action significantly influenced the behavioral intentions and usage of online grocery apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study’s findings can be utilized as a theoretical framework for future researchers of consumer behavior; e-commerce developers; and grocery industry retailers, to enhance the innovation and services of online grocery applications. The results of this study may also be used and capitalized on by investors and managers to apply in strategizing when developing and marketing online grocery applications among consumers. Moreover, the framework of this study may be adopted and utilized by other online markets, even in different counties. Further theoretical and practical aspects are discussed in this paper.


/pdf/using-online-grocery-applications-during-the-covid-19-28mf361i.pdf

Using Online Grocery Applications during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Their Relationship with Open Innovation

This paper reviews the environmental implications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at the individual and community levels in the UAE. The positive effects emanating from the pandemic include improved air quality and reduced contamination of public spaces with pollutants. On the other hand, far-reaching negative effects include poor disposal of medical plastic waste and facemasks and the rise in unhygienic health practices amongst residents of UAE. The long-term ecological implications of the pandemic are still not well understood. The findings shed the light on the importance of addressing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic through preventative policies and strategies for better environmental health and readiness for future crises. Future research could assess the long-term environmental conse-quences of the pandemic on the UAE. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100561

A review of the environmental implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates

Pumpkin seed flour is a promising raw material for use in the technology of various bakery products. It has a high biological value and valuable amino acid profile. During the technological process of making bread, there are conformational changes in the protein structure. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of pumpkin seed flour on conformational changes in the structure of protein substances of dough and bread from wheat flour by near-infrared reflection spectroscopy. The protein profile changed to complete when replacing 10% or more of wheat flour because the score for all amino acids was higher than 100%. The utilitarian coefficient indicates the same balance of amino acids in proteins of all samples. As the percentage of substitution increases, the number of amino acids used for anabolic purposes decreases, and these are more fully utilized by the body.

/pdf/conformational-changes-in-the-structure-of-dough-and-bread-1ezbu3jv.pdf

Conformational Changes in the Structure of Dough and Bread Enriched with Pumpkin Seed Flour

This study aimed to explore how food supply chains were impacted by COVID-19 and identify how the region could be better prepared for future crises. An online survey was completed by 107 consumers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 food supply stakeholders working in food production, distribution, retail, hospitality, institutions (i.e., childcare), logistics/freight and local government. Pre-COVID-19, farmer-direct distribution options and hospitality businesses comprised a substantial proportion of local food producer businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers favoured local food supply options, farmers collaborated, and produce usually destined for export was redirected into local markets. Critical food supply actions included keeping borders open to food freight, enhancing social capital through real-time business communication, and business flexibility. Solutions included business adaptation, for example, farmers selling produce boxes and hospitality businesses selling excess stock, COVID-safe delivery, and collaboration through digital networks. To better prepare the region for future crises, actions to support communities could include a community approach to agriculture, increasing food supply diversity, facilitating transport to aid food distribution and purchasing, and more effective messaging to discourage panic buying. Actions to support retailers could include increasing access to wholesalers through online platforms. Actions to support producers could include improving infrastructure, such as more regional distribution facilities.

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/7/4116/pdf?version=1648645124

Food Supply Impacts and Solutions Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Regional Australian Case Study

Consumer experiences of food environments during the Covid-19 pandemic: Global insights from a rapid online survey of individuals from 119 countries

Consumer experiences of food environments during the Covid-19 pandemic: Global insights from a rapid online survey of individuals from 119 countries.

Objective: This scoping review aims to identify and map characteristics of food environments that influence food-acquisition practices and dietary intake of women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries. Introduction: Due to the disproportionate burden of malnutrition on women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries, accelerated progress in improving women’s nutrition is required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 “Zero hunger” by 2030. Food environments are increasingly recognized as the key interface between consumers and food systems; however, little is known about the characteristics that influence women’s food acquisition and diets in low- and middle-income countries, especially during physiological stages of heightened nutritional requirement, such as pre-conception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Inclusion criteria: This review will consider quantitative, qualitative, mixed method, or review studies that report on the influence of food environment characteristics on food-acquisition practices and dietary intakes of women aged 15 to 49 years in any low- and middle-income country, as defined by the World Bank in 2021. Studies published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French from January 2010 onwards will be included. Methods: Twenty-one databases across EBSCO, Web of Science Core Collection, and PubMed will be searched. Screening, selection, and data extraction will be performed in duplicate by 2 members of the team, with any discrepancies resolved by group discussion. The patterns of food-acquisition and dietary intake in relation to food environment characteristics will be charted, mapped, and summarized in tabular and graphical formats. Findings will inform the refinement of effective food environment conceptual frameworks for this nutritionally vulnerable group. 

None nurfadhilah

Papers

Consumer experiences of food environments during the Covid-19 pandemic: Global insights from a rapid online survey of individuals from 119 countries

Consumer experiences of food environments during the Covid-19 pandemic: Global insights from a rapid online survey of individuals from 119 countries.

Characteristics of food environments that influence food acquisition and diets of women in low-and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol