The Behavior Determinants of In-Home Spoilage: A Study of Planned Shopping and Home Preservation Techniques

Abstract

Food waste has emerged as a major global concern affecting food security, environmental sustainability, and economic stability. A significant proportion of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted at various stages of the food supply chain. Household-level behaviors such as food purchasing and storage practices play a crucial role in determining the extent of food waste. The present study was conducted in the Karimnagar district of Telangana State to examine the food purchase behavior and food storage practices of rural households and their relationship with selected socio-economic characteristics. An exploratory research design was adopted, and 45 rural respondents were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean scores, and correlation analysis. The findings of the study revealed that a majority (55.55%) of the respondents belonged to the middle age group, while a considerable proportion (37.78%) were found to be illiterate. In terms of family characteristics, most of the respondents were from nuclear families (77.78%) and had a small family size (75.56%). Further, more than half (55.56%) of the respondents were categorized under the medium income group. With respect to food-related behavioural aspects, the results indicated that a substantial majority of the respondents exhibited responsible food purchasing behaviour, as evidenced by 82.22% agreement with statements reflecting careful purchasing practices. Similarly, an overwhelming majority (95.55%) of the respondents demonstrated appropriate food storage practices, suggesting a high level of adherence to recommended storage methods. Correlation analysis revealed that age was negatively and significantly associated with food storage practices (r = -0.354*), while education was positively and significantly associated (r = 0.328*). Income also showed a positive, highly significant relationship with food storage practices (r = 0.474**). However, most of the profile variables showed non-significant relationships with food purchase behavior. The findings indicate that education and income play an important role in improving food storage practices and reducing household food waste. The study highlights the need for awareness programmes and educational interventions to promote efficient food management practices among rural households.