A percepção ambiental dos consumidores de hortaliças orgânicas da feira municipal de Palotina-PR

Abstract

Family farming has fundamental relevance in the production of food for the national population, but still suffers from the need for sustainable practices. Given this scenario, organic production is a great alternative for family farmers. Thus, the objective of this work is to evaluate the perception of consumers regarding the production of organic vegetables for the Palotina-PR municipal fair. For the development of the study, the bibliographic research was carried out for theoretical basis, and questionnaires adapted from the Brandalise model (2006) were subsequently applied. The study is characterized as descriptive with a quantitative and qualitative approach. The data was obtained from the organic producer who markets the fair, as well as the application of questionnaires to 171 consumers of the Palotina municipal fair. From the results, the relevance of the fair was identified for the family income of the producers, representing between 25% and 40% of the same. The producers surveyed said they were satisfied with their organic production, but understood as necessary the greater disclosure of organic products and consumer awareness of its benefits. As for consumers, it has been found that there is environmental concern of consumers, especially in items that directly affect their pocket, such as water consumption and electricity. Regarding the stages of LCA, it was noticed that the major concern is the stages of use, post-use and disposal of the product, while the product has a strong environmental characteristic in all stages of the LCA to which it applies. From the research, the consumer allows the 5% increase in the price practiced, because vegetables are organic, low value if compared the benefits of organic, as well as per capita income of the Palotinense.