Impact of Perceived Food Accessibility on Household Food Waste Behavior

Abstract

Food waste is a global issue that is currently gaining attention in light of food security problems and related environmental issues. Studies related to household food waste have looked at socio demography and consumer behavior in attempting to explain household food waste behaviors. However, there are also other factors stemming from material infrastructure such as food accessibility that can also indirectly impact household food waste behaviors. This paper therefore looks at food accessibility, measured in terms of time and effort levels, and its impact on household food waste. A conceptual model was formed from the literature review and data obtained from questionnaires distributed at two locations in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The collected data was then analyzed using PLS-SEM. Three significant paths were found in the model connecting food waste with effort levels, environmental concern and price importance.