Gıda Tüketiminde Yerel, Millî ve İthal Ürünler

Abstract

Nowadays people conscious about healthy, local and ecological foods and consume on that way. It is known that local consumption effects society, economy and environment; and of course, improve rural development and sustainable local agriculture. In this study, it is aimed to examine consumer perceptions and behaviors in terms of local, national and imported foods. Six of the participants are academicians, six are civil servants and six are general affairs employees determined by the socio-economic stratification method (n= 18). The first group of individuals in the study is in the low, the second in the middle and the third in the high-income group who voluntary participated. The ages of individuals vary between 26 and 48; 10 of them are married and eight are single. A total of three focus group interviews were conducted with a qualitative research pattern. Content analysis identified in six relevant themes. These were cost, lifestyle, food quality, choice, consumer ethnocentrism and farmers. Participants prefer local and national foods more than imported foods. Also, they have a perception on local foods are more delicious and fresher. Even so they prefer imported foods if they cheaper. There are significant differences between socio-economic groups. It is suggested that to carry out more qualitative and quantitative parallel studies