Wasted Positive Intentions: The Role of Affection and Abundance on Household Food Waste

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study, grounded theory oriented, identifies familial affection and preference for abundance as major drivers of wasted food in lower-middle income American families. These positive intentions provide an improved understanding of household food waste, a problem with high environmental impact and moral implications. Based on empirical data collected with twenty caregivers via in-depth interviews, observations, and analysis of photos, this study provides novel explanations, such as on how stockpiling comfort foods in abundance – a form of both boosting positive self-emotions and showing affection for kids – can promote more wasted food. Other antecedents identified include multiplicity of choices, convenience, procrastination and unplanned routines. In sum, this research identifies a negative outcome of affection and food abundance in the family context, while providing a theoretically relevant general framework to help understand the food waste phenomenon. Authors suggest increasing the awareness of nutritional gatekeepers through behavioral economics principles.

KEYWORDS:

• Food waste
• affection
• abundance
• low-income
• food consumption

Acknowledgments

The first author conducted the research for this article while working as a visiting scholar at Cornell University. We are grateful to the staff and interns of the FBL for their assistance. Additionally, we thank Embrapa for the generous support.

Funding

The project was funded by the Cornell Food and Brand Lab (FBL).

Additional information

Funding

The project was funded by the Cornell Food and Brand Lab (FBL).