Consumer attitudes toward produce packaging during the pandemic

Consumer attitudes toward and preferences for produce packaging during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the major points of discussion since the coronavirus crisis began in March 2020.

Packaged veg
Packaged veg
(Photo courtesy Kay Greenley; Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly)

New research from The Packer’s 2022 Fresh Trends report sheds further light on the issue.

When asked in October, nearly half of more than 1,000 consumers polled said they purchased more packaged produce since the pandemic began.

Generally speaking, the 2022 Fresh Trends survey found that higher-income consumers, males, shoppers with kids, younger people and Western U.S. residents were more likely to report increased purchases of packaged produce during the pandemic.

Here is the breakdown of responses to the question, “Have you been purchasing more packaged fresh produce since the pandemic began?”

  • All: Yes, 46%
  • Income levels: Under $25K: 39% yes; $25K to $50K: 51% yes ; $50K to $100K: 44% yes; Over $100K: 52% yes.
  • Gender: Males: 51% yes: Females: 43% yes;
  • Kids or not: Have kids: 60% yes; 1 kid: 57% yes; 2 kids: 65% yes; 3 kids or more: 56% yes; No kids: 36%;
  • Region: West: 51% yes: Midwest: 41% yes; South 46% yes; and Northeast: 48% yes;
  • Age: 18 to 29: 59% yes; 30 to 39: 60% yes; 40 to 49: 46% yes; 50 to 59: 39% yes; and 60 or older: 32%.
  • Ethnic background: White/Caucasian: 45% yes; Black/African American: 57% yes; Hispanic: 48% yes; Asian: 43%; and All other: and 39% yes.

Look for more insights from The Packer’s 2022 Fresh Trends survey in the months ahead.

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