Evaluation of households' opinions on fresh fruit and vegetable waste: A case study of Yozgat province central district

Considering the growing population and limited natural resources, reducing food waste has become more urgent than ever. It is clear that minimizing food waste is critical for a sustainable future. Efficient use of limited natural resources such as water, energy, and land, ensuring fair food distribution, and making our environment more livable all require the proper and appropriate use of food. The primary aim of this study is to identify the views and reasons related to the waste of fresh fruits and vegetables among households living in the central district of Yozgat province. The study aims to determine how consumers define food waste, their spending amounts, shopping frequency, preferred shopping places, and the characteristics they pay attention to in their purchasing behavior and preferences for fresh fruits and vegetables. This research is considered important for raising awareness about reducing waste in fresh fruits and vegetables. The study utilized a sample of 380 households from the central district of Yozgat through a web-based survey prepared with Google Forms. According to the research results, the most significant reason for waste of fresh fruits and vegetables among consumers was found to be purchasing more than needed. Chi-square analysis results indicate that there is a significant difference between households' total income, number of household members, consumers' education level, marital status, and their views on household fresh fruit and vegetable waste. Investigating individuals' food consumption habits and factors affecting waste is important for developing more effective information and education campaigns. Understanding the factors that lead to waste can assist in identifying strategies to reduce and prevent waste.