Exploring consumers’ attitude towards purchasing in short food supply chains

This work investigates consumers’ attitudes that influence the intention to buy food in Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), instead of conventional market chains. A review of relevant literature summarizes research concerning SFSCs’ meanings and impacts. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, a survey was carried out among university students in Italy in order to validate a pilot questionnaire and test attitudinal variables having significant effect on behavioral intention linked to SFSCs’ preference. Results show that sustainability, convenience and local development play a key role in the intention that drives short chains’ shopping preferences.