CONSUMERS OF URBAN STREET MARKETS

PERCEPTIONS ABOUT FOOD SAFETY IN CHAPECÓ, STATE OF SANTA CATARINA

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the safety of food sold at open-air markets from the perspective of consumers. The research was carried out in the seven open-air markets in the municipality of Chapecó-SC, in operation in the second half of 2021. The study included a sample of 374 consumers over the age of 18 who answered a semi-structured questionnaire. The majority of participants (91.4%) are concerned about the presence of pesticides in the food sold at street markets and less than half (45.7%) of consumers trust the authenticity of the organic food they buy at street markets. It is clear that there is a need to establish trust between producers and consumers at open-air markets. In this sense, the organic product accreditation label has the potential to increase consumer confidence in the food they buy. Knowing the perceptions and expectations of consumers at open-air markets about food quality and safety is of fundamental importance for the supply of health-promoting food provided by family farming and for the sustainability of open-air markets in cities. It should be noted that municipal public policies need to take producers and consumers into account, recognizing free markets as indispensable food and nutritional security facilities.