Consumo de alimentos orgânicos e de base agroecológica em meio à pandemia de COVID-19 em Maceió (AL)

Abstract

In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic situation that ravaged the world as of March 2020, there was a growing search for strengthening immunity, minimizing risk factors, and embracing a healthier lifestyle. Allied to the direct health benefits, organic and/or agroecological foods are produced in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, characteristics that may influence the consumption of these foods. The present research sought to understand the factors related to the purchase and consumption of these foods, observing possible changes in purchase and consumption intention due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional research of descriptive nature, with a quantitative approach whose study population are individuals who consumed organically and/or agroecologically produced foods residing in Maceio, Alagoas. The research participants were sampled by convenience and answered an online questionnaire. All analyses were conducted using the Jamovi program. The results obtained confirm the profile of the organic consumer found in other studies: women, young, with high education and income. The determining factor for choosing organic and agroecologically-based products, among the interviewees, was the search for a healthy diet and the guidance of a health professional. However, there are some limitations to the exclusive consumption of organic products, among which the seasonality of the food and the difficulty of access to fairs and other points of sale of this kind are the most frequently mentioned. As a means to promote greater consumption of organic and agroecologically based foods, they believe that the dissemination of information about the health benefits is the main measure to be taken.