By a mile, the top issues for grocery shoppers are affordable and nutritious food, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. When asked about food purchases, nearly 60 percent of participants in the poll rated affordable or nutritious food as very important – 25 percentage points ahead of “not genetically modified” and “antibiotic-free” and three times the ratings for “locally grown,” “organically grown” or “from a family farm.”
“Despite high-profile debates in the media about GMOs, organics and antibiotic-free food, the majority of Americans care most about the cost and nutrition of their food,” said the council.
The most trusted sources of information about food, according to the survey, are health professionals, friends and family, farmers, scientists and the FDA. Low scores went to grocers, foodmakers, blogs and social media, and the news media. Roughly three-fourths of respondents said food producers should make food safety a top concern.