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Organic food in Poland is only 0.5%. whole food market
World Population Day was established in 1989 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to commemorate the so-called Five Billion Day – July 11, 1987, when the world's population reached this level. Its purpose is, among others, addressing issues that are important from the point of view of an increasingly larger society (in November 2022, the world population reached 8 billion), which undoubtedly include access to a sufficient amount of good quality food.
– Food security is not only about the physical and economic ability to obtain food. Its quality is also important, which is indicated by, among others, the origin of raw materials or the production process and its impact on rural communities and social diversity, people's health and quality of life, as well as natural resources and climate – emphasizes Dr. Hab. engineer Zbigniew Karaczun from the Interdisciplinary Center for Analysis and Cooperation "Food for the Future", co-author of the "Plate of the Future" report. The latest UN forecasts predict that the population will reach its maximum level around 2086, around 10 billion[1].
Moderately committed
Ensuring food security is an increasing challenge, related not only to the growing population, but also to climate change. What may be even more disturbing is the fact that Poles declare moderate involvement in matters related to limiting global warming and environmental protection – according to the study "Pole's Plate – Eating habits of Polish society". 5% of adult respondents rated their involvement as "very high", 34% as "rather high". The situation is similar among mothers who responded on behalf of their children – 8% and 33%, respectively. However, the majority of people chose the answer "very low" (11%) and "rather low" (31%). For mothers, these numbers are 8% and 31% percent, respectively[2].
In turn, 19% of adults and 22% of mothers answered "difficult to say"[3], which means that for almost 1/5 of the population this is not a "burning" issue.
– The role of education in this area seems to be important, and thus making society aware that the issue of food security concerns each of us. What may give hope is the fact that, on the other hand, adults are ready to take pro-ecological actions, especially if they can have a positive impact on health, says Dr. Katarzyna Wolnicka, substantive consultant of the "Food for the Future" think tank, co-author of the "Plate of the Future" report.
Health above all
As research results show, adult Poles declare that they are willing to make sacrifices or pay more for an ecological product or service. Readiness to take various pro-ecological actions is as follows:
- "I am willing to pay more for an ecological product or service" – 12% of respondents "strongly agreed" with this statement, 39% "rather agreed", 30% "rather disagreed", and 19% "strongly disagreed". ".
- "I can give up some pleasures if I live more ecologically" – the declarations were 16%, 47%, 25% and 12%, respectively.
- “I am willing to pay more for food that is more beneficial to health” – individual answers reached 16%, 46%, 25% and 14%.
- “I am willing to pay more for food that is more beneficial to the planet and the environment” – 13%, 40%, 28% and 20%.
The above data clearly indicate that caring for the planet and the environment is not the most important motivation for Poles when it comes to everyday decisions. Although mothers were more likely to choose affirmative answers in this case as well (16% and 44% respectively), health issues are still in the lead – 17% and 50%. – Given the social mood, it seems very important to build public awareness of the correlation between the quality of the food we eat and our health. It is also important to emphasize that the basis for producing food rich in nutrients are natural resources, biodiversity and water resources – emphasizes Prof. Ewelina Hallmann from the "Food for the Future" think tank, co-author of the "Plate of the Future" report.
The answer may be to follow a planetary diet, which involves halving the consumption of red meat and sugar and doubling the consumption of fruit, vegetables and legumes. It can positively impact health while ensuring sustainable food production to reduce further environmental damage[4].
– However, the picture of trends in nutrition is not clear. We forecast a deepening of the phenomenon that we can call consumer (un)awareness. On the one hand, we will be increasingly aware participants in the food system who will expect transparency and an offer supporting new expectations and values that will guide us in the food choices of tomorrow; on the other hand – due to the increasingly complex landscape of changes surrounding us – we will also be more confused, for example in assessing the impact of the development of the food system on our health or the planet – summarizes Monika Borycka from the Interdisciplinary Center for Analysis and Cooperation "Food for the Future", co-author of the report " Future Plate.
[1] https://biznes.interia.pl/gospodarka/news-liczba-ludzi-siegnie-10-miliardow-pozniej-zaczenie-sie-mocny-,nId,7558184.
[2] "Pole's Plate – Eating habits of Polish society", March 2023, Zymetria research agency.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Report "Talerz_Przyszlosci_2023.pdf".
