MONTREAL — Sodexo Canada has released the results of its first Sustainable Food Barometer. This new research reveals the sustainable food habits and intentions of Canadians, as well as the current disparities between their aspirations and behaviours. As both observer and influencer of consumer food consumption patterns, Sodexo Canada’s aim is to accelerate change across the entire food ecosystem
The survey of more than 1,500 Canadians conducted by Leger in December 2023 delivers insights with comparisons to the results to Sodexo’s International Sustainable Food Barometer survey conducted by Harris Interactive, which polled more than 5,000 people in Brazil, France, the U.K. and the U.S. The barometer identifies current trends and obstacles, as well as the narratives and incentives needed to induce changes in eating habits and support consumers in making the shift towards more sustainable diets.
Three key takeaways include:
- Canadians are well aware of the urgent need to change eating habits and have aspirations to do so.
- Nearly nine out of 10 Canadians (87 per cent) believe adopting more sustainable behaviours is an urgent matter, compared to 79 per cent globally. Recognition of urgency is highest in those aged 18 to 24 (98 per cent).
- Majority of Canadians say they’ve already adopted some sustainable food habits: 75 per cent say they reduce their household food waste; 68 per cent eat seasonal produce; and 56 per cent buy local produce whenever possible. These are comparable to global trends with 71 per cent, 63 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively.
- Many Canadians are ready to or have already adopted several other practices with 86 per cent reducing their consumption of processed foods; 82 per cent avoiding plastic packaging by choosing bulk foods or using re-usable bags; and 79 per cent wishing to consume sustainably produced products whenever possible.
- There’s a gap between intentions and actions.
- When shopping for groceries, price is the most important factor for Canadians: 91 per cent selected price as a top five most important factor, followed by taste (72 per cent) and nutritional value (67 per cent). The least important factor among Canadians was the product’s environmental impact (21 per cent).
- Three quarters (74 per cent) of Canadians say they don’t have the desire, intention or don’t know if they would give up meat. Two-thirds (67 per cent) don’t want to give up fish and more than half (54 per cent) say the same about dairy. This is substantially higher than the global average (meat: 42 per cent; fish: 45 per cent).
- The individual benefits of sustainable food choices are more motivating than the collective benefits for society, but not exclusively.
- The primary motivation for eating more sustainably in Canada and globally is the expected health benefits (52 per cent Canada; 46 per cent global), followed by the expected financial savings (49 per cent Canada; 35 per cent global, except Brazil).
- Canadians are more likely to be persuaded by the desire to contribute to Canada’s food autonomy (29 per cent), and to role model for future generations (22 per cent), than they are by changes to law or imposed regulations (13 per cent).
“Sodexo Canada is committed to reducing our environmental impact through offering more sustainable food choices and sourcing, preparing and serving them in more enjoyable and sustainable ways,” says Johanne Bélanger, CEO, Sodexo Canada. “We encourage Canadians to join us for the health benefits and cost savings, as well as the ultimate benefit of limiting climate change.”
“Sodexo Canada is continuously working to improve how and what we serve Canadians, conscious of our role as leaders and our environmental impact,” says Davide Del Brocco, CSR senior Sustainability manager. “The Sustainable Food Barometer helps us better understand how consumers think about making sustainable choices and how we can continue to support progressive change, making tasty, healthy meals that reduce our impact on the planet across the entire food ecosystem.”
