Sustainability From the Consumer’s Perspective

In honor of Earth Day, The Hartman Group, Bellevue, WA, presents an article on sustainability from a consumer perspective—how sustainability relates to their everyday lives and translates into purchases. But, they illustrate, sustainability’s consumer side does not necessarily match up with how the industry or media thinks, acts or talks about sustainability.

Although many levels of consumer products factor into how consumers involve themselves in sustainability, food and beverage products are often a first important step. “Food and beverages are, by far, the primary gateways to consumer participation in sustainable purchasing behaviors,” they note in the article. This adoption process “often begins with products that may offer personal or familial health and wellness benefits,” such as those billed as natural, organic and/or local.

The Hartman Group is also seeking feedback on sustainability to factor into its ongoing analysis of the phenomenon. For complete details, including how to submit comments, see the article, “The Consumer Side of Sustainability.”