Consuming Green: the Symbolic Construction of Organic Foods
Author(s)
Lyons, Kristen
Lockie, Stewart
Lawrence, Geoffrey
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2001
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
One of the key features of the recent dramatic growth in the organic food industries is the extent to which this is demand driven, suggesting the need to focus analytical attention more closely on the agency of consumers within organic food networks. In this paper we begin by drawing from focus groups undertaken with consumers throughout Australia to examine the meanings of food they identify to be important. In order to examine the significance of 'green' signifiers in the consumption practices of Australian consumers, we then examine the various meanings consumers associated with organic food. This analysis illustrates ...
View more >One of the key features of the recent dramatic growth in the organic food industries is the extent to which this is demand driven, suggesting the need to focus analytical attention more closely on the agency of consumers within organic food networks. In this paper we begin by drawing from focus groups undertaken with consumers throughout Australia to examine the meanings of food they identify to be important. In order to examine the significance of 'green' signifiers in the consumption practices of Australian consumers, we then examine the various meanings consumers associated with organic food. This analysis illustrates consumers' understandings of the range of advantages and disadvantages associated with the consumption of such foods. An examination of these findings also provides a preliminary understanding of the social and cultural meanings Australian consumers value, as well as the barriers and opportunities for expanding the organic industry In Australia.
View less >
View more >One of the key features of the recent dramatic growth in the organic food industries is the extent to which this is demand driven, suggesting the need to focus analytical attention more closely on the agency of consumers within organic food networks. In this paper we begin by drawing from focus groups undertaken with consumers throughout Australia to examine the meanings of food they identify to be important. In order to examine the significance of 'green' signifiers in the consumption practices of Australian consumers, we then examine the various meanings consumers associated with organic food. This analysis illustrates consumers' understandings of the range of advantages and disadvantages associated with the consumption of such foods. An examination of these findings also provides a preliminary understanding of the social and cultural meanings Australian consumers value, as well as the barriers and opportunities for expanding the organic industry In Australia.
View less >
Journal Title
Rural Society
Volume
11
Issue
3
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2001 Rural Society. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Use hypertext link for access to the journal's website.
Subject
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Studies in Human Society
Language, Communication and Culture