An Exploration of the Motives Underlying the Selection of the Food Outlets in Which People Purchase Fresh Foods in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the motives underlying the selection of the food outlets in which people purchase 2 categories of fresh foods.

Design: Cross-sectional telephone survey conducted in May 2024.

Setting: Montevideo, Uruguay.

Participants: A total of 505 adult residents of Montevideo were involved in food purchasing for the household, recruited by a survey company.

Main outcome measures: Outlet in which participants reported purchasing 2 categories of fresh foods (fruits and vegetables, and meat), and motives underlying their choice of store.

Analysis: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models to assess the associations between the likelihood of purchasing the 2 categories at each type of store and the motives underlying their choice while controlling for sociodemographic variables.

Results: Farmers' markets, supermarkets, fruit and vegetable stores, and butcher shops were identified as the primary outlets for purchasing the target categories. Price, quality, convenience, and proximity were the most frequently mentioned motives underlying the choice of outlet. The likelihood of purchasing at different stores was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with motives underlying the choice of outlet and socioeconomic characteristics.

Conclusions and implications: People purchase fresh foods in different types of outlets because of a wide range of factors beyond proximity. Incorporating these factors in food environment research may contribute to developing more effective interventions.