Community Supported Agriculture and Food Waste in Curitiba, Paraná

Abstract

Food waste in Brazilian households amounts to approximately 8.7 million tons annually, prompting investigations into sustainable consumption practices and waste reduction. This article aims to assess the food waste patterns of consumers involved in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives in the Central Urban Core of Curitiba, Brazil. Methodologically, this exploratory research was conducted through a survey (N = 401, n = 144). The results showed that CSA groups provide opportunities for knowledge exchange about food waste, a demand for education on sustainable consumption, and an urgent need for strategies tailored to different contexts to foster conscious and sustainable consumption practices. The conclusion is that participation in CSAs does not significantly influence consumer behavior regarding food waste, indicating the need for sustainable consumption education and context-specific solutions.