'National research on fruit and vegetable consumption' in Poland
98% of adult Poles know that it is worth eating vegetables and fruit, know their benefits and perceive them as healthy. However, only one in six puts these ideas on a plate and eats vegetables in the right amount. ¾ does not know how many vegetables and fruits to eat. Half of Poles eat very little fruit and vegetables. The majority of them do not eat veggies every day. There is a belief that the preparation of vegetables and fruits is difficult and time-consuming. These are the results of research carried out in 2020 by the Kantar opinion platform for the National Association of Vegetable and Fruit Producers.
Leaders of industry organizations of producers and processors recognized that building awareness of the fundamental role of fruit and vegetables is the task of the entire sector. That is why, in cooperation with Kantar, they carry out the series 'National research on fruit and vegetable consumption.' In the actions taken, growers are favoured by trends: 2021 was designated the World Year of Fruit and Vegetables.
Fruit and vege preferences in September 2020
As part of the National Research, Kantar examined the nutritional preferences of Poles in September 2020.
Nutritionists recommend that vegetables and fruit constitute at least half of what we eat. Almost every fifth Pole met this condition in September 2020. In September, apples were the most popular among fruit. 86% of Poles consumed it, including 21% at least 4-5 times a week. Plums 76% scored second and pears (51%) were the last on the podium.
The most popular vegetables are tomatoes (95%) and cucumbers (92%) and potatoes (98%). Respectively 17%, 5% and 20% of the respondents consumed them on a daily basis. In September 2020, on the tables of Poles also onions 90%, carrots 87%, cabbage 67% and peppers 67% could be found. 6% of respondents ate onions every day, 5% carrots, 1% cabbage, and 1% peppers.
Unfortunately, the data on how many meals a day fruit and vegetables build a half of a total were less optimistic. 30% of Poles do not eat such meals. Every fifth Pole ate one meal consisting of at least half of vegetables and fruit. Only 6% of respondents admitted that fruit and vegetables constituted at least half of all six meals eaten during the day. 13% of Poles ate at least half of vegetables and fruit during 4-5 meals a day. Based on the food declarations made on the day before the study, it can be seen that 18% of Poles ate in accordance with the dietitians' recommendations for consuming the right amount of vegetables and fruit.
Purchase habits of Poles
The pandemic is changing the purchasing process. Research has uncovered its stages, product evaluation criteria and the purchases themselves.
Purchases of fruit and vegetables are more and more often planned, which is related to the coronavirus epidemic, but also to frugality and aversion to wasting food. During the epidemic, Poles began to plan their purchases better so as to reduce the number of visits to the store and shorten the time spent shopping.
Most people have a certain set of vegetables and fruits that must be at home. It is worth emphasizing, however, that vegetables and fruits are often bought on impulse, when you like something while shopping.
Poles are more likely to shop near home or on the way. Theoretically, they prefer bazaars, but they often give up on them because of lack of time or because they are not nearby. The biggest advantage of fairs and various types of stalls is the trust in the seller and the belief that the products sold are grown by the seller or his family. It is of growing importance for buyers to know where the product comes from, under what conditions it is grown and where it was transported from. Consumers want to buy directly from the manufacturer. The above makes the car more trustworthy than the stall. Likewise, a smaller assortment. They build a feeling that the commodity is straight from the field, that the person who grows it is selling. It is worth emphasizing that bazaars are popular among people looking for local, regional, authentic, ecological and fresh goods, but on the other hand, many people do not have time to shop there.
Source: PAP