EIT Food, Europe’s leading food innovation initiative supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), today published a new report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer food behaviours.
A survey of 5,000 consumers in ten European countries shows lockdown measures may have caused lasting behaviour change in relation to food consumption – marked by substantial shifts in shopping patterns, meal preparation and eating habits. The research was carried out by a consortium of leading universities in Europe, led by Aarhus University, Denmark. The ten countries surveyed were Spain, Sweden, Germany, UK, Poland, Italy, France, Greece, Finland, Romania.
The new report comes just months after the European Commission published its landmark Farm to Fork strategy, calling for the creation of a food environment that makes it easier for consumers to choose healthy and sustainable diets, while having access to sufficient and affordable food.
Changes in consumer food behaviours across Europe
Consumers across Europe suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. A third of respondents (34%) lost part or all of their income and more than half (55%) said they found it difficult to make ends meet every month.
Despite this, European consumers reported buying more in almost every food category, as COVID-19 lockdowns and a rise in homeworking across Europe led to people spending more time at home and eating out less.
European consumers are also spending more time in the kitchen with over a third (36%) reporting that they have enjoyed spending time cooking during lockdown. Sharing this experience with others became more important too, with three in ten (29%) sitting down to eat together as a household more regularly.
Lasting habits post pandemic
According to the survey, the increased significance that food has played in our lives will continue after lockdown measures are lifted. Nearly a third of consumers said it will be more important to have time to cook home-made meals (27%) and to continue eating more varied foods (30%) after the pandemic.
While affordability will remain a priority for many, with 32% saying that access to food at low prices will be more important, it should not come at the cost of health and good nutrition. On the contrary, almost half of consumers (49%) said being in good health will be more important to them as a result of COVID-19.
EIT Food, supported by EIT, has been assisting the agrifood sector during the pandemic to help the development of a resilient and sustainable food future. As part of the EIT’s Crisis Response Initiative, EIT Food is delivering over €10 million in funding for high impact startups and projects to support the European agrifood sector through the pandemic.
For more information:
Smilla Balletto
Tel: +44 (0) 77 2959 4041
E-mail: smilla.balletto@greenhousepr.co.uk