Young consumers place heavy emphasis on attention to sustainability

The Packer’s 2022 Fresh Trends report finds that 46% of shoppers say they seek out companies that are “environmentally aware.”

My project - 2022-05-11T125244.801.jpg
My project - 2022-05-11T125244.801.jpg
(Photo courtesy Amy Sowder; Graphic by Brooke Park)

The Packer’s 2022 Fresh Trends report finds that 46% of shoppers say they seek out companies that are “environmentally aware.”

Higher-income consumers (more than $100K income per year) were most likely to look for companies that are “environmentally aware.” Fifty-eight percent of consumers making more than $100,000 said they look for “environmentally aware” companies, compared with 39% of consumers making less than $25,000 per year.

Read the entire 2022 Fresh Trends digital edition here.

There also is a big disparity in how younger consumers look at the issue compared with older consumers.

Sixty-three percent of 18- to 29-year-old consumers said they look for “environmentally aware” companies, compared with just 28% of consumers older than 60 with that perspective.

When asked to rate what practices are “most important” in promoting sustainability, Fresh Trends respondents rated biodegradable packaging as the highest-ranked factor among options listed, at 34%.
Related to the importance of biodegradable packaging, the biggest difference in attitudes is found in the age of consumers.

For consumers aged 18 to 29 years old, 43% said that biodegradable packaging was the most important practice in promoting sustainability. That compares with just 25% of consumers older than 60 who have that view.

Other Fresh Trends survey results for factors considered “most important” in promoting sustainability were:

  • No packaging: 19%
  • Biodegradable labels on packs: 6%
  • Water conservation: 18%; and
  • Organic growing practices: 23%.

Read the entire 2022 Fresh Trends digital edition here.

The Packer logo (567x120)
Related Stories
Unclear definitions and strict standards keep farmers from claiming the regenerative title, but practical economic benefits are driving steady adoption.
Findings from The Packer’s 2026 Sustainability Insights report highlight the severe financial strain on specialty crop growers as retail prices fail to keep pace with production expenses.
The Packer’s Sustainability Insights 2026 shows retailers are pursuing sustainability to drive business efficiency, boost margins and strengthen supply reliability rather than depend on consumer premiums.
Read Next
Sustainability Insights 2026 finds that as reliance on consumer price premiums fades, growers and retailers are turning to operational sustainability to defend margins, build climate resilience and survive rising supply chain costs.
Get Daily News
GET MARKET ALERTS
Get News & Markets App