The main objective of the project is to ascertain how the Covid-19 pandemic and especially the lockdown measures that resulted from it have affected food-related behaviours, such as consumer demand for food products and services. Behavioural changes will be investigated using an online survey, with measures indicating the type and severity of changes in shopping, types of food products bought, meal preparation practices, meal patterns, and waste handling, practices. Consumers’ well-being and coping abilities will be studied, as well as their expectations regarding whether behavioural changes will endure to the future beyond the pandemic. The results are of interest both for the food industry and for public policy aiming at promoting healthier and sustainable food consumption. The results will shed light on conditions for behaviour change in general.

The main part of the project is a consumer survey conducted in 10 countries, where the results will be available in September. The results are of interest both for the food industry and for public policy aiming at promoting healthier and sustainable food consumption.

Outcome of the project will be scenarios for food-related consumer behaviour and demand in the post-corona period, with implications for the actors in the food sector. These scenarios and the results of the project will be shared via a communication campaign tailored towards

1.      The food industry

2.      Public authorities

3.      The general public

The campaign includes media outreach (general public), online presentations on various channels, information available on EIT Food’s website(s) and social media outreach. Apart from that, workshops with industry will be conducted to develop scenarios for the future.

Responsible partners are AU and EIT Food Public Engagement Functional Area (advice, support and coordination with EIT Food channels).