Sustainable Shopping Survey Results
added 05/11/09
Part of the Co-op’s Environmental Vision is that its “shoppers are well-informed about the environmental impacts of their food choices.” To this end, Co-op Sustainability Coordinator Emily Neuman and Matthew Garner, Master of Public Health candidate from The Dartmouth Institute, conducted surveys in the Hanover and Lebanon Stores from February 17 to March 4 of this year.
The Survey
We asked 370 shoppers “In which areas would you like more environmental information from the Co-op?” We provided six categories: Fresh Food Items (e.g. meat, seafood and produce), Packaged Food Items, Non-Food Items (e.g. cleaning products and paper goods), Product Packaging, Understanding Environmental Labeling, and Local or Regional Products.
In all six categories, a majority of shoppers indicated that they would like more environmental information (see graph). At the same time, we learned that they feel the Co-op is already a good source of information, particularly in the category of local and regional products. In the categories “Fresh Foods” and “Environmental Labeling,” we received many positive comments about the FishWise seafood-labeling program introduced in 2008.
A variety of unique responses in the “Other” category ranged from a suggestion that we demo cleaning supplies to wondering how it is that certified organic foods can be grown adjacent to conventional crops. Several shoppers asked for environmental information about pet food.
We appreciated the opportunity to hear from so many engaged members and shoppers. We look forward to following through on the results of the survey. To those who participated—thank you! And, congratulations to Judy Rocchio, who won the Co-op Gift Bag raffle.
What Do You Think?
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