Purchase and consumptions food habits in times of COVID-19

Abstract

In the first months of the health contingency caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, non-essential activities in the public, private and social sectors are suspended in the national territory. As a consequence, a large part of the population modified their daily activities, disrupting various aspects of people, including those that have to do with eating habits. This research analyzes the purchasing and food consumption habits of Mexican consumers during confinement due to COVID-19. The results show that 75.7% of the participants modified their eating habits, particularly at dinner and breakfast. Pastry products, followed by fruits and vegetables, were those that presented a greater increase in their consumption. On the other hand, shopping habits changed for 51.7% of consumers, choosing to a greater extent supermarkets or hypermarkets to make their purchases. When choosing the establishment, they value hygiene measures to a greater extent, as well as care and protection of employees. In general, knowing the consumption behavior and food purchasing habits in a health crisis scenario, allowing the generation of market[1]oriented strategies that are essential for the subsistence of commercial establishments.