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Background: Eating habits must change substantially in order to address the urgent societal challenges of personal, public and planetary health. Research surrounding various facets of the dietary transition remains siloed, hindering breakthroughs. Scope and approach: We argue the scientific case for transdisciplinary research centered around the transition to healthy, sustainable, and acceptable diets. This transition requires tackling the broad societal challenges of engaging consumers in the diet transition, improving nutritional health and achieving environmental sustainability of foods and food systems. Key findings: The crucial synergies and trade-offs from addressing single challenges in isolation are discussed, as well as obstacles when considering the collaboration between the multiple scientific disciplines concerned with the dietary transition. Currently, interactions between these challenges remain understudied and/or ambiguous, in part due to a lack of interoperable data and standards. Intersectional research entry points acting at the intersection of the three challenges are explored: food taste and texture reformulation, food pricing strategies and food literacy. The implementation of such cross-cutting interventions urgently requires both the generation of new data and exploitation of the breadth of existing data. Researchers must therefore be facilitated to find, access and use interoperable data to model and measure food intake and all its determinants. Conclusions: The dietary transition requires underpinning by a research infrastructure that supports access to transdisciplinary data, facilities and research tools, alongside training and capacity building. Filling these unmet data, tools and training needs is the first step towards delivering breakthrough innovations to foods and food environments, mobilizing consumers to engage in the dietary transition.

This study applied the true price method, developed within the PPP ‘True and Fair Price for Sustainable Products’, to conventional and organic pork. The study showed that the method can be used to determine the most important impact categories (hotspots) of products. The results indicate that the impact categories air pollution and land use contribute most to the true price gap of conventional and organic pork. To improve the accuracy of true price estimations, future research should focus on the development of methods for positive impacts and social impact categories. Furthermore, future research should focus on the development of high-quality datasets for non-conventional products to improve true price estimations of these products. In dit onderzoek is de echte-prijsmethode, ontwikkeld in de publiek-private samenwerking ‘Echte en eerlijke prijs voor duurzame producten’, toegepast op gangbaar en biologisch varkensvlees. Dit onderzoek laat zien dat de methode gebruikt kan worden om de belangrijkste impacts (zogenoemde hotspots) van een product te berekenen. Uit de resultaten komt naar voren dat de impactcategorieën luchtvervuiling en landgebruik het meeste bijdragen aan de echte-prijs-gap van gangbaar en biologisch varkensvlees. Toekomstig onderzoek moet zich richten op het meenemen van positieve impacts en het ontwikkelen van methodes voor sociale-impactcategorieën zodat een completer beeld kan worden geschetst van de echte prijs van een product. Bovendien is robuuste data nodig over niet-gangbare praktijken zodat een betrouwbare vergelijking kan worden gemaakt tussen de echte prijs van gangbare producten en de echte prijs van niet-gangbare producten.

Shifting our eating patterns toward less animal-based and more plant-based diets is urgently needed to counter climate change, address public health issues, and protect animal welfare. Although most consumers agree that these are important topics, many consumers are not particularly willing to decrease the meat intensity of their diets. In supporting consumers to shift their diets, it is important to understand consumers’ attitudes, motivations, and preferences related to meat consumption and to take differences across consumers on these aspects into account. This study aims to in-depth research meat abstainers (vegetarians and vegans), and to explore how and to what extent they differ from avid meat eaters and committed meat reducers in terms of their (1) socio-demographic characteristics, (2) attitudes and norms, (3) food choice motives, and (4) food preferences and behavior. A survey has been conducted among a representative sample of Dutch adults. Comparisons show that meat abstainers (N = 198) differ from committed meat reducers (N = 171) and avid meat eaters (N = 344) on the four included categories of variables. In terms of demographics, we largely confirm the stereotype of vegans and vegetarians being highly educated females. In attitudes and norms, large differences exist with meat abstainers being least pro-meat and avid meat eaters being most pro-meat. Food choice motives confirm this, with meat abstainers valuing animal welfare and a good feeling higher than committed meat reducers and avid meat eaters. Finally, differences across the groups are most pronounced in terms of their food preferences and consumption, with a much higher appreciation of plant-based protein sources among meat abstainers, a high appreciation of non-meat animal-based proteins across committed meat reducers and a high appreciation of meat products among avid meat eaters. This shows that although differences across the groups are gradual and expected, in terms of reduction motivations and preferences of protein sources the three groups (frequent meat consumption-meat reduction-meat avoidance) are very distinct, which makes it unlikely to expect big shifts from one group to another in the short term.

Increasing consumer adoption of upcycled food products contributes to making the food system more resource efficient and to transitioning towards a circular economy. Yet, it is unclear how upcycled food can best be communicated towards consumers so that it signals something positive about consumers and make consumers more inclined to purchase upcycled food. In the current study, we examine to what extent upcycled foods may evoke morally self-rewarding feelings associated with purchasing upcycled food for consumers depending on (1) whether environmental or health product benefits are communicated in (2) either an abstract (generic sustainability or health lifestyle benefits) or concrete fashion (specific environmental or nutritional benefits). We found that concrete product communication led to stronger anticipated self-rewarding feelings associated with purchasing upcycled food, relative to abstract communication of either environmental or health benefits. Regardless of level of abstraction, communicating environmental (rather than health) benefits also led to stronger self-rewarding feelings. In turn, the stronger anticipated self-rewarding feelings were, the higher consumers' intention to purchase upcycled food. The findings provide marketing guidelines for companies on upcycled food: product communication about concrete environmental or nutritional benefits of upcycled food increases the extent to which consumers experience purchasing upcycled food as morally self-rewarding, which in turn is positively associated with consumers’ intention to purchase upcycled food.

To accelerate the protein transition it is important to understand how different consumer groups perceive and categorise plant-based proteins in comparison to animal-derived proteins. Using qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (card-sort task) techniques, we examined how omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans categorise plant-based proteins. Forty Dutch participants free-sorted 80 product cards and elaborated on their categorisations in follow-up interviews. Demographics and other background variables are adminisered via a survey.

This data was collected for the Veg-on-Wheels intervention study, in which ready-to-cook, washed and pre-cut green leafy vegetables (GLV) were kept cool and sold for five weeks at convenient locations near workplaces and on the open market in Akure, Nigeria. Surveys were conducted prior to the intervention with 680 consumers and during the final week of the intervention with 596 consumers near workplaces and 204 consumers at the open market. Both buyers and non-buyers of the intervention were included; 49% buyers in the workplace sample and 47% in the open market sample. It measures vegetables intake, intervention awareness, attitudes and customer satisfaction, motives and barriers for buyers and non-buyers.

To accelerate the protein transition it is important to understand how different consumer groups perceive and categorise plant-based proteins in comparison to animal-derived proteins. Using a quantitative (card-sort task) technique, we examined how omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans categorise plant-based proteins. 81 Dutch participants free-sorted 80 product cards. Demographics and other background variables are administered via a survey.

Ethiopia is among the countries with the highest malnutrition burdens. Dairy is of particular nutritional importance, but Ethiopian per capita consumption is low. This study investigated the drivers and barriers to dairy consumption among rural households in West Amhara, Sululta-Fitche, Adama-Assela and Hawassa–Shashemene project clusters of SNV-BRIDGE project, using a combination of a) focus group discussions with community members; b) key informant group interviews with community leaders, religious leaders and health extension workers and c) quantitative household survey data. It found that cow ownership is the main factor associated with a higher average number of days on which yogurt, milk, buttermilk and cheese is consumed by rural households. More dairy was also consumed by those who report “Improves education performance”, “Good for growth” and “Prevents disease” as advantages of milk consumption. For yogurt, two factors were found to be associated with dairy consumption frequency. Firstly, respondents who reported “gives energy” as an advantage of consuming yogurt consumed more yogurt than those who did not report this advantage. Secondly, respondents that reported that they didn’t know about disadvantages consume less yogurt. The study concludes that efforts to increase dairy consumption in rural communities should promote cow ownership first, having the largest short-term benefit as the market does not (yet) form an alternative source. However, cow ownership should not be promoted without addressing the issue of the availability of animal feed. Respondents in general were aware of the fact that dairy has health benefits, but still experience a need for nutritional information. Specifically, there appear to be knowledge gaps regarding populations with special nutritional needs and regarding products where there was disagreement on healthiness (especially whey and yoghurt).

This research focuses on making recommendations for the development of a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Ecosystem in Kentucky. As an approach, a desk study was conducted, a large number of experts interviewed, and a field visit to the Netherlands was made. The desk study consists of an analysis of learning experiences of the Dutch CEA ecosystem and an analysis of the Kentucky CEA Ecosystem through a cluster analysis of the horticultural complex, using the Triple Helix model and Porter’s Five Forces. For this purpose, six Dutch agrocluster experts were interviewed and six stakeholders active in the Kentucky horticultural supply chain. In addition, the Knowledge System in Kentucky was examined using the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System approach by interviewing 29 local experts. The results were translated into 10 recommendations elaborated into more than 30 actions for the development of the CEA ecosystem in Kentucky.

Background The parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes a substantial human disease burden worldwide. Ingesting improperly cooked pork containing T. gondii is considered one of the major sources of human infection in Europe and North America. Consequently, control of T. gondii infections in pigs is warranted. The European Food Safety Authority advised to perform serological monitoring of pigs and to conduct farm audits for the presence of risk factors. Serological monitoring was implemented in several Dutch slaughterhouses, one to six blood samples (a total of 5134 samples) were taken from each delivery of finishing pigs and samples were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Using these test results, a cross-sectional study was initiated to assess the association between the within-herd T. gondii seroprevalence and the presence of risk factors for T. gondii infections at 69 conventional finishing pig farms in the Netherlands. Results A multivariable model showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) association with twelve potential risk factors: type of farm, presence of dogs, presence of ruminants, use of boots, use of shower and farm clothing, mode of rodent control, bedding accessibility for rodents, presence of cats, type of drinking water, heating of the feed, use of goat whey and shielding of birds. Conclusions Serological monitoring of finishing pigs for T. gondii in slaughterhouses can be used to identify the presence of T. gondii risk factors on Dutch conventional finishing pig farms and seems a valuable tool to guide and monitor the control of T. gondii in pork production.

The PPP RENEW (side- and residual streams for Eco-feed application in the Netherlands, with specific attention for the design of circular food systems and consumer acceptance) was launched in February 2021. The project is a public privatepartnership, and its aim is to design and valorise Eco-feed concepts. Eco-feed is conceptualized as a circular feed product for non-ruminant animals, based on side- and residual streams collected from retail and foodservice outlets. In this project, we consider only Eco-feed for pigs and poultry (layers and broilers). PPP RENEW focuses on 3 main research questions (RQs): RQ.1) Which conditions are necessary to create a positive business case for Eco-Feed in the Netherlands, from economic, environmental and animal welfare point of view? RQ.2) Which conditions are necessary to create consumer and food value chain acceptance of Eco-feed products? RQ.3) Which scenarios contribute to the development of Eco-feed concepts? This report presents the findings on task 2.1 (related to RQ.2) and addresses elements that influence consumer acceptance (attitude and behaviour) and which are critical for accepting products for human consumption that are based on Eco-fed pigs and chicken. A literature review has been performed to create an analytical framework to explainacceptance, and four focus group discussions were organised to collect first insights from consumers on the topic.Our findings suggest that elements including personal characteristics, social context, physical context, the product itself, and the production system all matter. However, it seems that consumers are not (yet) very aware of what livestock animals eat, and how feed is being produced. Furthermore, there seem to be no clear difference between more or lesss ustainability-oriented consumers with regards to their opinion on Eco-feed concepts.

Restaurants are characterized by high levels of meat being consumed in this out-of-home setting, while plant-based meat alternatives remain a niche product, thus preserving a high environmental impact of food consumption. We tested whether subtly re-designing the restaurant menu, so that plant-based meat alternatives were perceived as the default to a greater extent, increased consumer selection of plant-based meat alternatives. Consumers' freedom of choice was preserved by leaving all choice options on the menu. An online experiment in The Netherlands showed that consumers choose plant-based meat alternatives more often relative to meat when the plant-based option is framed as the default. In a field experiment in a Dutch restaurant, we found that the amount of ordered plant-based meat alternative dishes substantially increased relative to an equivalent meat dish when implementing a default nudge (bean alternative: from 8.6% to 80.0%; seaweed alternative: from 16.1% to 58.3%). Thus, re-designing the menu in a way that suggests that plant-based meat alternatives are the default, while preserving autonomous decision-making, is a promising route to promote out-of-home adoption of plant-based meat alternatives in restaurants.

Reduced meat intake by Western consumers would benefit public health and the environment. However, meat consumption is notoriously difficult to change, among other things because it is often the outcome of automatic and habitual behavior. Interventions that make use of automatic decision-making processes are therefore promising, but these too vary in their success. The effectiveness of interventions may be improved if different types of meat-eaters are separated. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of two kinds of intervention (namely, changing to a vegetarian default on a menu and changing the attractiveness of a food label) on vegetarian food choice for two distinct groups: meat-eaters who are not reducing their meat intake (non-reducers) and meat-reducers. We also explored whether the effect of these interventions could be strengthened by activating different roles (i.e. a consumer role versus a citizen role). The online study included two European countries, Denmark (n = 740) and the Netherlands (n = 749), and involved two experiments. It was found that a vegetarian default significantly increased vegetarian food choice among the non-reducers but did not significantly do so among meat-reducers. Attractive labeling marginally increased vegetarian food choice for non-reducers but had no impact on meat-reducers. The activation of roles did not influence food choice. We conclude that meat-reducing interventions, especially where the menu default is concerned, could benefit from increased focus on a more specific target audience (i.e. non-reducers). More generally, we recommend that future meat-reducing interventions should consider different groups of meat-eaters.

The focus of the current paper is on a design of responsible governance of food consumer science e-infrastructure using the case study Determinants and Intake Data Platform (DI Data Platform). One of the key challenges for implementation of the DI Data Platform is how to develop responsible governance that observes the ethical and legal frameworks of big data research and innovation, whilst simultaneously capitalizing on huge opportunities offered by open science and the use of big data in food consumer science research. We address this challenge with a specific focus on four key governance considerations: data type and technology; data ownership and intellectual property; data privacy and security; and institutional arrangements for ethical governance. The paper concludes with a set of responsible research governance principles that can inform the implementation of DI Data Platform, and in particular: consider both individual and group privacy; monitor the power and control (e.g., between the scientist and the research participant) in the process of research; question the veracity of new knowledge based on big data analytics; understand the diverse interpretations of scientists' responsibility across different jurisdictions.

Nigerian consumers have been found to view vegetables as healthy and health is a principal motivation for consumption; however, consumers also experience barriers related to preparation time and availability of vegetables. We therefore conducted a Veg-on-Wheels intervention, in which ready-to-cook, washed and pre-cut green leafy vegetables (GLV) were kept cool and sold for five weeks at convenient locations near workplaces and on the open market in Akure, Nigeria. Surveys were conducted prior to the intervention with 680 consumers and during the final week of the intervention with 596 consumers near workplaces and 204 consumers at the open market. Both buyers and non-buyers of the intervention were included; 49% buyers in the workplace sample and 47% in the open market sample. The Veg-on-Wheels intervention was successful, with high awareness, positive attitudes and high customer satisfaction. GLV intake was higher for Veg-on-Wheels buyers compared with non-buyers after the intervention, i.e., 10.8 vs. 8.0 portions per week, respectively. Also the intake of other vegetables was higher in the intervention group. The motives and barriers for buyers and non-buyers differed across the selling locations: main barriers were trust in the vendor and GLV source. These trust issues and vendor preferences were viewed as more important to respondents at the market than those near workplaces. This study is the first intervention study on the selling of ready-to-cook convenience vegetables in urban Nigeria. It shows that a market exists for convenience vegetables and that they have the potential to increase vegetable intake. Insights on both the food environment and consumers’ motives and behaviour was crucial for designing and evaluating the intervention.

This study explores the questions of how to govern the transition towards sustainable farming in a responsible and inclusive manner by exploring the Dutch dairy case. Sustainability transition is about fundamental social–technical changes to address the grand challenges that society faces today. It includes breaking down and phasing out unsustainable practice as well as scaling up sustainable alternatives. Transition literature argues that governments should implement a mix of transition tasks to give direction, support the new and destabilase the unsustainable. In addition, market-based instruments (MBIs) and policy interventions rewarding sustainable farming stimulate transition. This study illustrates that strong and prolonged pressure of not meeting international environmental agreements triggered the implementation of stronger policy interventions that destabilize the unsustainable. However, less policy attention seems to be given to supporting the “new”, such as pioneering alternative farmers who develop sustainable alternatives to mainstream farming. To achieve more responsible and inclusive sustainability transitions, it is important to implement tailor-made policies that support pioneering alternative farmers who are already taking steps in developing sustainable farms which, in addition to food, provide ecological and other benefits to community.

A transition towards a circular food system whereby the agricultural food chain changes from a linear production chain to a more circular system with minimal unnecessary losses could be the answer to a range of global challenges, such as climate change, diminished water quality and biodiversity, and food insecurity. This paper focuses on behavioural factors and external conditions that influence the decisions of Dutch farmers in the transition towards circular agriculture (CA). This study consists of a literature review, 13 semi-structured, qualitative, in-depth interviews with farmers who contributed to CA and a survey of 429 farmers representing a range of farm types and sectors. Structural Equation Modelling showed that attitude and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are significant predictors of the intention to take measures that contribute to CA, behavioural beliefs, perceived risk and uncertainty, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are all significant predictors of attitude; and intention, perceived behavioural control and subjective knowledge are significant predictors of the relative number of farmers that contribute to CA. Univariate analyses showed that farmers who took more measures that contribute to CA were motivated more by social and environmental values, while farmers who took fewer measures that contribute to CA were motivated more by economic values. In the in-depth interviews, knowledge, resistance from the environment and unsuitable legislation were the barriers mentioned most often. These insights may prove helpful for policymakers and other advisors who influence farmers’ decision making regarding CA. Some examples of what these insights can be used for include: persuasive communication aimed at influencing motivations, beliefs and attitudes; framing directed towards motivating pro-environmental and social values to increase intrinsic motivation; economic incentives to increase extrinsic motivation; providing information for decreasing farmers’ perception of risk and uncertainty, provided that how information is offered is adapted to individual situations. Social pressure may not be helpful in this stage of the transition as there is still a lot of resistance to CA among farmers following a linear approach.

Background The parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is recognized as one of the major foodborne pathogens with a high human disease burden. To control T. gondii infections in pigs, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) advises serological testing of pigs and audits of pig farms to identify risk factors for T. gondii infection. In line with this approach, the aim of the current study was to assess the effectiveness and costs of intervention measures implemented to reduce the T. gondii seroprevalence on finishing pig farms in the Netherlands. A crossover clinical trial was conducted at five case farms were their own control and the cross-over moment was the implementation of interventions to reduce risk factors. Each of the case farms had a farm-specific intervention strategy with one principal intervention measure (neutering of cats, professional rodent control or covering food storage). Results All finishing pig farms (n = 5) showed a reduction in T. gondii seroprevalence within one year of implementing the intervention strategy. Cat neutering (n = 3) and feed coverage (n = 1) showed statistically significant reductions in seroprevalence. Rodent control (n = 1) did not show a statistically significant reduction. The estimated reduction in seroprevalence in response to the neutering of cats and feed coverage were 67 and 96 %, respectively. Conclusions Our work demonstrates that it is possible to reduce the within-farm T. gondii seroprevalence within one year after interventions were implemented to reduce T. gondii risk factors. This information is essential and encouraging for policy makers, food business operators, and farmers to implement in their risk assessment and to apply to food safety control systems.

The primary goal of this study is to be able to discern specific types of consumers in terms of their psychosocial characteristics who may need different ways of receiving dietary advice. Knowing these types will enable a better fit of advice to consumers’ psychosocial characteristics, hereby stimulating healthy eating as the probability of compliance to the advice can potentially increase. The study draws upon several psychological theories to distinguish unique underlying factors that can subsequently be used to personalize nutrition information for consumers. A number of general psychological scales (self-regulation, action and coping self-efficacy, social comparison, intrinsic motivation, health info processing, need for cognition and for affect, and regulatory focus) are filled out by 988 respondents, including their preferences for receiving personalized forms of nutrition advice. The set of joint items from various psychological constructs is analyzed using a Principal Component Analysis to find underlying psychological characteristics. The PCA produces four components (explaining 51% of variation), that could be interpreted as ‘intrinsic interest and capabilities for healthy eating,’ ‘perceived difficulty to eat healthily,’ ‘self-worth insecurity,’ and ‘seeking positive challenges,’ respectively. By means of a Logistic Regression these components are able to predict preferences for different forms of receiving nutrition advice. This first component shows that a mind set for maintaining a healthy diet goes together with an interest in receiving an advice on what do to and on how that will affect one’s health. The second component predicts a preference for a fixed moment to receive information/advice. This may be a strategy of those that perceive difficulties to eat healthily, to help them control their healthy food intake. The insecurity that the third component models seems to lead to a wish for receiving specific advice about their health situation at fixed moments in time. The fourth component is a small component, therefore its prediction of a wish for an advice focussing on prevention of negative consequences is probably not a strong result. The study does point out that there appear different psychosocial types of consumers, that may benefit by being addressed according to their preference for receiving nutrition advice on specific moments, of a specific level of detail or pointing at the type of consequences the advice has. A better fit of the advice to the psychosocial characteristics of the recipient, captured in the identified components in the current study, may lead to an increase in compliance, although that will have to be further investigated in subsequent work.

A series of food safety incidents related to domestically produced dairy in China harmed consumer confidence and caused a dramatic decrease in dairy consumption from 2008 to 2010. Compared with previous studies that mainly assessed consumer confidence in food or dairy in general, this study focused on 2 specific dairy products, milk and infant milk formula (IMF). Based on data from 934 Chinese consumers, confidence in the safety of milk and IMF was measured by using a multi-item scale with 2 dimensions—optimism and pessimism. We found that Chinese consumers were optimistic about the safety of milk and IMF but, at the same time, were concerned about the risks related to milk and IMF. Chinese consumers have less confidence in IMF than in milk. Structural equation modeling indicated that consumer trust in manufacturers and third parties in the dairy supply chain and confidence in other foods, such as meat and fish, can foster consumer confidence in the safety of milk and IMF, while the extent of recall of the melamine infant formula incident in 2008 and trait worry exert negative effects. In addition, consumers with more children or less family income are likely to be more confident in domestically produced IMF. These insights into consumer confidence and its determinants can assist dairy supply chains and regulatory institutions in formulating effective risk communication strategies to strengthen consumer confidence.

Purpose Generally, food intake of older consumers is not in line with dietary guidelines. Insight into personal health-related motive orientations (HRMO) in this target group is useful for developing tailored interventions that support healthy food consumption, a better understanding is needed. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify older consumer groups based on HRMO; and second, to compare their consumption of different food groups and functionalities associated with a main meal. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was filled out by 459 Dutch adults aged 55–90 years (mean age=68.2 years), of the Sento network including 800 vital community-dwelling older consumers. Findings Analysis revealed five clusters of older adults with different HRMO profiles: appearance and achievement oriented, active oriented, altruistic oriented, achievement oriented and less health oriented. In addition, these segments differ in importance of functionalities associated with a main meal, i.e., physical, pleasure or rewarding, and in the consumption of specific food groups, i.e., unprocessed meat, meat replacers and unsalted nuts. Research limitations/implications Recommendations for interventions and communication strategies to support healthy food consumption in the different HRMO segments are presented. Originality/value This exploration showed that different segments of Dutch older adults can be identified based on HRMO. Between these segments there are differences in consumption of protein-rich food groups and functionalities associated with a main meal.

Food Choice Motives (FCMs) such as price, sensory appeal and health are important in understanding food consumption. FCMs are traditionally investigated at a general level, for food choices on ‘a typical day’. However, food choices have been shown to differ across temporal, situational and social contexts. This suggests that measuring FCMs at a context-specific level could increase our understanding of food consumption in different contexts. Therefore, the current paper aims to explore whether FCMs are indeed context-specific for different meal moments, locations and social contexts. Two studies were conducted among Dutch adults (Study 1: N = 935; Study 2: N = 642). Both studies measured FCMs in context, either by using 2-hour recalls (Study 1) or recalls of the last consumption moment (Study 2). Result showed that participants rated and ranked FCMs significantly different across most contexts showing the relevance of considering the context when studying FCMs. Egocentric motives of taste, affordability, and convenience were the most important motives across all contexts, as was health. In contrast, sustainability-related motives were consistently rated as least important. Most variability occurred in the middle part of the rankings and mainly in health-related motives such as weight control and safety. This shows the added value of measuring FCMs in different contexts, particularly for health-related motives. The contexts snacking versus main meals, eating out of home versus at home and eating alone versus with others showed the most pronounced contrasts in ranking of FCMs. The current study is the first to quantitatively explore the variability of FCMs across eating contexts, both in rating and ranking of FCMs. The chosen research method resulted in a representative, though unbalanced sample of consumption contexts in the Netherlands, which limits the generalizability of the results to an international context and restricts the insights in out-of-home contexts as food is mainly consumed at home in the Netherlands. The results enable public health authorities and food companies to target messages, interventions and products to consumers’ Food Choice Motives in specific contexts.

The Dutch Meat Association has initiated a promotion campaign in order to promote sales of European pig meat in five South East Asian countries. The objectives of the campaign are directed towards creating economic impact and a higher awareness of the different qualities of pig meat from Europe. This study evaluates the campaign by measuring the degree to which these objectives were met.

This document represents a representative product study carried out in the context of the development of a methodology for calculating the environmental footprints of horticultural products, according to the newly released methodological standard - HortiFootprint category rules. The purpose of this product study was to identify the most relevant impact categories, life cycle stages, processes and direct elementary flows and also to identify the data needs, all feeding into the methodology development. This publication is meant as an illustration of a product environmental footprint (PEF) study for roses that are produced in a Dutch greenhouse with combined heat and power (CHP) system, transported across the main countries of export. The functional unit is one stem of 70 cm long roses at commercial grade.

Sierteeltproducten worden in Nederland in een verlaagd btw-tarief belast (9% in plaats van 21%) en in twaalf andere EU-landen ook. Een verhoging van de btw heeft negatieve gevolgen voor omzet en werkgelegenheid in de keten. Deze doorrekening laat zien dat een btw-verhoging in Nederland leidt tot een verlies van ongeveer 170 miljoen euro omzet in de sierteeltketen tegen groothandelsprijzen (-1,6%). Als ook in andere EU landen de btw verhoogd wordt, dan heeft dat vooral effect op de export van Nederland en daarmee ook op de primaire productie. Het extra verlies aan omzet van de sierteeltketen is (tegen groothandelsprijzen) berekend op 620 miljoen euro (-6%). De langetermijneffecten op de Nederlandse btw-inkomsten zijn berekend op 226 en 229 miljoen euro stijging afhankelijk van of alleen Nederland de btw verhoogd of ook de ander EU-landen die een verlaagd tarief hanteren. Op korte termijn is het effect op de overheidsfinancien minder groot door een stijging van de kosten van de sociale zekerheid en daling van de inkomstenbelasting.---Ornamentals are taxed at a reduced VAT rate in the Netherlands (9% instead of 21%) and twelve other EU countries. An increase of VAT on ornamentals would have a negative impact on turnover and employment in the chain. This calculation shows that the effects of a VAT increase in the Netherlands leads to more than 170 million euros in loss of turnover in the Dutch ornamentals chain valued at wholesaler prices (-1.6%). If in other EU countries VAT is increased as well, there will be an effect on Dutch exports and consequently also the primary sector. The extra loss of turnover at wholesaler prices is estimated at 620 million euro (-6%). The long-term effects on VAT income of the Dutch government are calculated to increase by 226 million euros and 229 million euros, depending on whether only the Netherlands increases the VAT or also the other EU countries that apply a reduced rate. In the short term the effect on public finances is less significant due to an increase in the costs of social security and a decrease in income tax.

In an experiment with low SES workers (n=956) product positioning (healthy products top versus bottom) and lunch order timing (expected to be delivered within 30 minutes versus the next day) were manipulated in an online canteen setting.

We introduce a methodology to visualize the limit order book (LOB) using a particle physics lens. Open-source data-analysis tool ROOT, developed by CERN, is used to reconstruct and visualize futures markets. Message-based data is used, rather than snapshots, as it offers numerous visualization advantages. The visualization method can include multiple variables and markets simultaneously and is not necessarily time dependent. Stakeholders can use it to visualize high-velocity data to gain a better understanding of markets or effectively monitor markets. In addition, the method is easily adjustable to user specifications to examine various LOB research topics, thereby complementing existing methods., Comment: 51 pages, 9 figures

At the start of the True Price from Insight to Action pubic-private partnership (PPP), all partners were interviewed about their expectations and requirements regarding the findings of the exploratory study into how true pricing can contribute to the sustainability of the food system. Partners would like to use true pricing in different ways to make food production more sustainable, and they also discussed the knowledge gaps. Bij de start van de PPS True price van Inzicht naar Actie zijn alle partners geïnterviewd over hun verwachtingen en wensen met betrekking tot de uitkomsten van de verkenning hoe true pricing kan bijdragen aan de verduurzaming van het voedselsysteem. Partners willen via verschillende wegen true pricing inzetten om de productie van voedsel te verduurzamen en hebben de kennisleemten geuit.

This report provides an analysis of 3 scenarios into the consequences for the entire chain of an increase or decrease in production on primary farms in Dutch agriculture. An increase of production is unlikely. A more likely decrease in primary production has consequences for other parts of the value chain as well. This decrease is expected to be smaller for firms with a strong international focus. Dit rapport geeft een analyse van drie scenario’s waarbij inzicht gegeven wordt in de gevolgen voor de hele keten van een toe- of afname van de primaire productie in Nederland. Een toename in de productie op primaire bedrijven is met name in de veehouderijsectoren en akkerbouw onwaarschijnlijk. Een afname van de productie op de primaire bedrijven die meer waarschijnlijk is, heeft ook gevolgen voor de productie op toeleverende en afnemende bedrijven. Deze afname is minder groot bij toeleverende en afnemende bedrijven die internationaal georiënteerd zijn.

At the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), this report examines whether forms of pricing can promote sustainability in the meat sector. The socially desirable sustainability encompasses ecological, economic and social goals. Four main options in terms of instrument are considered: chain arrangement, tax on meat, subsidy, and levy & return system. These are not only tested for effectiveness, but also for legality, feasibility and support. A workable combination must be sought, because none of the options effectively covers all sustainability dimensions. Cooperation between government and sector is essential in this regard. Op verzoek van het ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit (LNV) gaat dit rapport na of vormen van beprijzen de verduurzaming van de vleessector kunnen bevorderen. De maatschappelijk gewenste verduurzaming omvat ecologische, economische en sociale doelen. Qua instrument worden vier hoofdopties onderscheiden: ketenarrangement, belasting op vlees, subsidie, en heffing & terugsluissysteem. Deze worden niet alleen getoetst op doeltreffendheid, maar ook op rechtmatigheid, uitvoerbaarheid en draagvlak. Geen van de opties dekt alle duurzaamheidsdimensies doeltreffend af, zodat gezocht moet worden naar een werkbare combinatie. Daarbij kan samenwerking tussen overheid en sector niet gemist worden.

Innovations are urgently required to transform toward a more circular food system in which the food production and processing is more sustainable and the dietary patterns of consumers are more healthy and sustainable. It is needed to be more innovative in a multidisciplinary and consumer oriented way. Therefore, this paper introduces circular food design model and presents some applications. This paper presents background information regarding relevant models of product development and combines approaches and insights from different disciplines, such as consumer and food science, all present in the food system. In addition, the linkage with design thinking is addressed. Moreover, research questions are presented focused on the identification, development and optimization phase with regard to agricultural production, food storage, processing, retail and consumption. This circular food design model can support a way of thinking that will lead to multidisciplinary and citizen participating in food product development. The added value of circular food design model is; first, the model stimulates a citizen participation approach in a creative way; second, the model supports communication and collaboration among all involved disciplines. The newly developed circular food design model visualizes an iterative approach meant to be a flexible and creative tool to structure the new food development in the different phases to support value creation in the food system in order to support its transition.

Background Illegal use of fipronil as an insecticide in 2017 has caused substantial damage to Dutch laying hen farms. We assessed how the fipronil crisis has affected the financial performance of affected farms as well as unaffected farms. While affected farms faced culling their flocks and lost revenue, unaffected farms benefitted from temporary high egg prices. Methods A three-step normative modelling approach is taken using financial statements and a partial budget. The estimations are for a 50,000 laying hen farm facing the fipronil crisis for 5 months. First, a baseline is created by generating an income statement of this laying hen farm representing a ‘normal year’. Second, incremental costs and revenue as a result of the fipronil crisis are estimated. Third, the baseline income statement is updated with the outcomes of the partial budget. This results in two additional income statements that report the net operating result of this farm being unaffected and affected by the fipronil crisis. Results While in a normal year this average-sized farm has a net operating result of around 18,000 euros, profitability was estimated to be − 369,000 euros and + 169,000 euros for the affected and unaffected farm due to the crisis respectively. For affected farms, impacts were especially high as there was no government compensation or insurance. Conclusions As Dutch farms typically operate as independent family farms, there was also no compensation from other chain actors. The affected farms therefore likely have faced financial distress and have had to increase debt or use their financial reserves for household consumption and restarting the business. Outcomes contribute to discussions around liability claims and cost-benefit assessments of measures to improve the chain food safety and rapid alert systems

Ondanks inspanningen van ketenpartijen, kan de vitaliteit van kalveren op een aantal melkveebedrijven in de eerste twee weken na de geboorte nog verbeterd worden. Er zijn drie domeinen waarbinnen verbeteringen mogelijk zijn, namelijk: de fokkerij, het management en de ketenorganisatie. Melkveehouders en andere betrokken partijen leggen soms te veel nadruk op de productiviteit van de koe en verliezen daarbij de vitaliteit van het kalf uit het oog en zien een kalf soms te veel als bijproduct. De sense of urgency om hier iets aan te veranderen, lijkt te ontbreken. De structuur van de Nederlandse vleeskalverhouderij in relatie tot de melkveehouderij speelt hierin een belangrijke rol. Daarnaast spelen markt-, logistieke- en governanceaspecten een rol bij het beinvloeden van gedrag om de transitie naar een kringloopveehouderij te kunnen realiseren.---Despite the efforts of parties in the supply chain, there is room to improve the well-being of calves at a number of dairy farms. Breeding, management and the organisation of the chain were the three areas in which potential improvements were identified. Dairy farmers and other involved parties sometimes focus too much on the productivity of the cow and, in doing so, lose sight of the well-being of the calf, resulting in the calf being viewed as a by-product. There seems to be a lack of a sense of urgency to change this. The structuring of the Dutch veal industry in relation to the dairy farming industry plays an important role in this regard. Additionally, aspects relating to markets, logistics and governance play a role in influencing the change in behaviour needed to achieve the transition to circular livestock farming.

This paper presents the results of an exploration into the adoption of biodiversity-friendly practices by the real estate sector, by researching which factors determine companies’ intentions to use nature-inclusive design and construction concepts (NID). NID represents practices in which nature and building are inextricably linked when (re)designing building projects. We applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), a well-known framework for studying behavior. A telephone survey was carried out among 103 employees at different types of companies in the real estate sector. The findings showed that attitude, social norms, and perceived behavioral control are all significant explanatory variables for the intention of using NID. Perceived behavioral control is the strongest predictor. In addition, interest in NID strengthens the predictive value of perceived behavioral control. The empirical findings in this study serve as a first attempt to provide insights into the determinants of behavior in favor of using NID and, by extension, looking for drivers for change. The study was carried out in the Netherlands, but the results may be applicable or interesting to other countries as well when looking for opportunities to enhance biodiversity in urban areas or considering how the real estate sector could give substance to their vital role in spatial developments.

The Netherlands was one of the first nations to introduce ITQs in their fisheries to manage national yearly Total Allowable Catches (TACs). These ITQs have gradually developed from an individual quota system in 1976 to an ITQ system in the 1980s. In 1993 the system was reformed into a co-management system. In this paper it is argued that many of the usual negative socio-economic consequences of ITQs mentioned in the literature have been largely absent, due to the embeddedness of ITQs in co-management arrangements. However, cracks have appeared lately in this combined management system, allowing an identification of its vulnerabilities. These findings show that the social and economic structure of Dutch fisheries is changing from a rather cooperative to a more competitive and exclusive system, more like conventional ITQs.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a food safety hazard which causes a substantial human disease burden. Infected pig meat is a common risk source of toxoplasmosis. Therefore, it is important to control T. gondii infections in pigs. Improving farm management to control the introduction risk likely contributes to that aim. A pig producer only implements control measures when he or she is aware of the underlying problem, wants to solve it, and is able to solve it. If a pig producer is not implementing appropriate control measures, behavioural change interventions can be introduced to overcome constraining behavioural factors. To aid in designing behaviour change interventions, this study analysed behavioural factors of Dutch pig producers in terms of capability, opportunity and motivation to control T. gondii infections in pigs. Key risk sources analysed focused on the life cycle of T. gondii, with cats as primary host, rodents as intermediate host, and uncovered feed as an important risk source. A survey was conducted among Dutch pig producers. Responses were analysed using descriptive and cluster analysis. Results showed that around 80% of the 67 responding pig producers was aware of key risk sources of T. gondii infections in pigs. Respondents also rated risk sources that are not known to increase the risk of T. gondii infections in pigs as somewhat important. Many respondents did not know about potential consequences of a T. gondii infection in pigs on human health. Two third expected some impact on pig performance, which is incorrect because T. gondii generally does not make pigs ill. Most respondents indicated to have the motivation and opportunity to control the risk sources cats, rodents and uncovered feed. Three pig producer clusters were identified: one with higher capability to control rodents, one with lower motivation to control rodents and cats and to cover feed storages, and one with lower scores on the importance of rodent control for pigs, human health and farm profit. We conclude that, although many pig producers have knowledge about risk sources for and consequences of T. gondii infections in pigs, the public health impact and risks of T. gondii infections in pigs are not yet common knowledge among all Dutch pig producers. Furthermore, Dutch pig producers differ in opportunity and motivation to control T. gondii infections. Targeted interventions to address these specific constraining behavioural factors can help to improve the control of T. gondii infections in pigs.

To realize the potential environmental benefits that recycling and/or composting bio-based plastic packages can deliver, it is important that consumers view bio-based packaging as environmentally-friendly, but also correctly dispose of the packaging. The current experimental lab-in-the-field study was conducted among German consumers (n = 281) and explores whether consumers' perceived environmental benefits of recyclable and compostable bio-based plastic packages match with how consumers dispose of these packages. The results show that consumers only perceive compostable bio-based packages to have more environmental benefits than fossil-based packages. However, consumers dispose of compostable bio-based packages in an incorrect manner (not in line with what is communicated on the packaging label) relatively often. Consumers with a stronger familiarity with bio-based products more often correctly dispose of compostable bio-based packages, but not recyclable bio-based packages, relative to fossil-based packages. Thus, although mainly compostable bio-based plastic packages have strong environmental appeal to consumers, paradoxically this does not translate in the proper disposal actions to fully capitalize on the environmental benefits that bio-based packages can actually deliver. Increasing consumers' bio-based product familiarity might be an avenue to increase the levels of sustainable disposal.

EU agriculture is facing increasing expectations and pressure from society and policymakers to support environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Catch and cover crops (CCC) are an underused farming practice that can potentially contribute towards these goals. Previous research is sparse and has yielded few relevant insights into CCC adoption behaviour by farmers. In this study we analyse a dataset from farm surveys in four EU regions to better understand the role of policy and non-policy factors in CCC adoption. Our data suggests that adoption rates vary widely between regions, while farm adoption intensities are low. We find that policy is by far the strongest determinant of adoption rates and adoption intensities. CCC adoption patterns have been shaped mainly by the Nitrates Directive and the Common Agricultural Policy's greening requirements. Agronomic motives are a third but much weaker impetus for adoption. Environmental and climate change considerations do not play a significant role in farmers' adoption decisions. Most non-adopters would likely become adopters if stronger policy obligations or additional subsidies were implemented. Non-adopters‘ responsiveness to subsidies and willingness to accept is highly varied but only weakly predictable from easily observed farm characteristics.

We have identified future opportunities for the beef sector. The sector shows a broad diversity of companies, cattle breeds and sales channels. For a vital sector, it is important to communicate the story behind the various beef products and to cooperate in the marketing of those products. Voor de rundvleessector zijn de toekomstige kansen op een rij gezet. De sector is divers in type bedrijven, runderrassen en afzetkanalen. Voor een vitale sector is het van belang om het verhaal achter de diverse rundvleesproducten te communiceren en te gaan samenwerken in de afzet van die producten.

The assessment of changes in the relationships between supply chain agents is considered fundamental for market transformation. This paper reports on the application of a Value Chain Lab that supports the measurement of behavioral change in vertically structured supply-chain relationships. A participative gaming approach is used that enables to identify changes in mutual trust, transaction costs and risk behavior that result from value chain support and co-operation. The Value Chain Lab comprises value chain analysis, value chain games and multi-agent simulation. The paper describes the multi-agent simulation of a soy value chain in northern Ghana. The research was conducted in the context of the 2SCALE program, aiming to improve rural livelihoods and food and nutrition security in a number of African countries by developing agricultural supply chains including local smallholder farmers. The study confirms the positive effects of trust and loyalty in value chain relationships. Furthermore, it demonstrates the usefulness of agent-based simulations for exploring potential consequences of alternative interventions.

The study assess the competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector and suggests specific recommendations for further development. It also provides insights in market, trade and investment opportunities. A focus is applied to a limited number of crop specific case studies. In Uganda the production of fruit and vegetable is gaining importance. Despite agricultural practices being weak, farmers in Uganda can make a reasonable profit margin from their farm plots. In addition, key performances indicators of Uganda compared with Kenya show that most products for the domestic and regional markets are very competitive in terms of quality, price and yield.

Voor de periode 2021-2027 moeten lidstaten in een Nationaal Strategisch Plan (NSP) uiteenzetten hoe zij met hun beleidsinzet gaan bijdragen aan door de Europese Commissie geformuleerde doelstellingen voor het Gemeenschappelijk Landbouwbeleid. Deze beleidsinzet is mede gebaseerd op een zogenaamde SWOT-analyse (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats). Met oog op het voorbereiden van het NSP, heeft het ministerie van LNV ervoor gekozen om een SWOT-analyse te maken in twee fasen. In de eerste fase wordt een SWOT-analyse op hoofdlijnen ('Houtskool-SWOT') opgesteld. In een tweede fase komt de definitieve SWOT-analyse tot stand. Dit rapport bevat de Houtskool-SWOT.