Organic Farming and Sustainability in Food Choices: An Analysis of Consumer Preference in Southern Italy

Azzurra Annunziata, Riccardo Vecchio

Department of Economic and Legal Studies, University of Naples Parthenope, 13 Via Parisi - 80133 Naples, Italy.

Abstract

In recent years an important trend in sustainable food consumption is represented by organic consumers. Organic agriculture not only preserves the environment but it also improves public health, bringing significant benefits both to the economy as well as to the social cohesion of rural areas. Based on these considerations the proposed paper aims to analyze consumers demand for organic food as products that contribute to the sustainability of food choices. Cross-sectional data were collected through a web-based survey on 200 organic consumers resident in Campania Region between January and March 2015. Furthermore, this research assess the impact of local origin on consumer preferences for organic products using a conjoint analysis.

Keywords: sustainability; food choices; organic food; local food.