MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll: Wave IV

The fourth wave of the MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll mainly examines consumer knowledge, attitudes and practices related to food waste.

Numbers reflected are percentages. 

If you needed to, how often could you access fresh fruit and vegetables where you live? 

   
Every day  73 
At least once a week  17
At least once a month  4
Rarely 3
Never 0
Not sure

 

 

How often do you think you consume genetically modified organisms, often called GMOs?

   
Every day  22
At least once a week  23
At least once a month  7
Rarely 14
Never 7
I'm not sure 27 

 

 

Using a 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is not at all willing and 5 is very willing, how willing would you be to pay more for food items if their production had a less damaging impact on the environment?

   
Willing (4-5) 52 
Indifferent (3) 30
Not willing (1-2)  18

 

 

Do you take steps to reduce the amount of food wasted in your home?

   
Yes  88 
No 12

 

 

How do you reduce food waste at home (Among the 88 percent who answered yes)?

Respondents were allowed to choose more than one option. 

   
I try not to buy excess food  71 
I often consume food before it spoils  71
I share excess food when possible 34
Other 5

 

 

Why not (Among the 12 percent who answered no)?

Respondents were allowed to choose more than one option. 

   
I do not waste food at home  31 
I am not familiar with the term "food waste"  23
I do not know how to reduce food waste 21
I am not concerned about food waste 20
I do not have time 18
Other 1

 

 

How much food do you think we waste in the United States annually? 

   
Less than 10%
10-30%  18 
31-50%* 41
51-70% 24
Above 70% 13 

 *Thirty-one to 50 percent is the correct answer.

 

Using a scale of 1-5, where 1 is not at all willing and 5 is very willing, how willing would you be to buy a GMO-derived fruit or vegetable that stayed fresh longer than currently available produce? 

   
Willing (4-5)  41 
Indifferent (3) 30
Not willing or not at all willing (1-2)  29

 

 

A product labeled organic … 

Respondents were allowed to choose more than one option. 

   
Is grown without pesticides 55 
Meets specific certification standards  47
Is healthier than other foods 39
Is not genetically modified 38
Is grown sustainably 37
Tastes better than other foods 23
None of these 9

 

 

How often do you seek information about where your food was grown and how it was produced?

   
Every day  14 
At least once a week  22
At least once a month  15
Rarely 33
Never 16

 

 

Using a scale of 1-5, where 1 is not at all appropriate and 5 is very appropriate, how appropriate is it for non-dairy products derived from almonds or soybeans to be labeled as ''milk''? [this adds to 101 percent]

   
Appropriate or very appropriate (4-5)  41 
Neutral (3) 29
Not appropriate or not at all appropriate (1-2) 30

 

 

Using a 1 to 5 scale where 1 is not at all likely and 5 is very likely, how likely would you be to purchase foods that look and taste identical to meat, but are based on ingredients that are produced artificially?

   
Likely (4-5) 31
Somewhat likely (3) 22
Not likely (1-2)  47 

 

 

Methodology

The Michigan State University Food Literacy and Engagement Poll was conducted online between January 15-21, 2019, among 2,090 U.S. residents aged 18 and over. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. The poll is administered by Toluna, NA, a leader in online research that manages one of the world’s largest internet-based research panels with more than 4.5 million registered and active users.

All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error. Most of these errors are often impossible to quantify. In addition to sampling error, these errors include coverage error, non-response error, interviewer bias when appropriate, and the error associated with how a question is asked or the response options given. The overall margin of error would be 3 percentage points at the widest interval.

© 2019 Michigan State University

For more on the Michigan State University Food Literacy and Engagement Poll, click here.

 

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