Consumer Support for Hemp By-Products as Food and Feed

Abstract

Due to changes in legislation, interest in hemp cultivation in the United States (U.S.) has grown in the past five years. Hemp is typically grown for fiber, seeds, or oil, creating significant amounts of cellulosic by-products. To ensure economic viability and environmental sustainability of hemp production, additional uses for these by-products should be identified. Hemp has potential as livestock feed; however, there is a lack of literature on consumers’ perceptions of this practice and on their willingness to purchase the resulting animal food products. The objective of our study was to evaluate U.S. consumers’ perceptions and acceptance of food products from livestock fed hemp. We distributed a survey to U.S. adults (n = 386). Our data demonstrate that consumers overwhelmingly supported growing and feeding hemp to livestock in the U.S. with < 8% opposing either practice. Consumers perceived growing hemp in the U.S. may have economic and environmental advantages, which influences their willingness to purchase food products from animals fed hemp. Most consumers were not familiar with legislation and guidelines surrounding hemp production and many were concerned about exposure to hemp compounds (i.e. cannabinoids) through food. Further research should investigate outreach needed to educate consumers about hemp, especially in the food chain.