Brianna Golden

Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Food Purchasing Patterns in a Local Food System
Abstract
A local food system centers on keeping the distance that food travels to a minimum. By
supporting this idea, the economic, health, social, and environmental aspects of the food system
may benefit. The purpose of this research was to understand if the distance from producer to
consumer affects food purchasing patterns. Bozeman, MTs food system was analyzed by
measuring the physical distance that food travels between producer and consumer using the
framework of the Tiers of the Food System model. Tier one of the model was represented by
the Bogert Farmers Market and Townes Harvest CSA program. These locations utilize direct
purchasing from the consumer. Tier two of the model was represented by the Community Food
Co-op and utilizes strategic partners with a slightly longer distance between consumer and
producer. Tier three was represented by Town & Country and Albertsons grocery stores and
presented the largest distance from producer to consumer analyzed in this research. The study
surveyed 83 participants in Bozeman, MT using a thirteen question survey and convenience
sampling. A cross-sectional sample was taken of the population. Paper and electronic surveys
were both utilized, depending on location and internet access. Data was analyzed to seek trends
in purchasing patterns based on survey and shopping location. The data was coded and analyzed
for trends in frequencies and correlations between purchases and shopping location. This study
found that no significant trends existed between these variables.

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Introduction
The food system is complex; it is made up of multiple, interconnected components that illustrate
the journey of food from production to consumption. A local food system is one that centers on
food that is grown within a reasonable distance from where it is eaten (ATTRA Sustainable
Agriculture, 2015). According to ATTRA (2015), supporting local agriculture may improve the
economic, social, and environmental aspects of the food system. A local food system is also
important to the long-term health and well-being of a community (Feenstra, 1997). [Packaged
Food Products] from stores with poorer nutrient density such as warehouse clubs, mass
merchandisers, and convenience stores are growing, representing a potential U.S. public health
concern, according to Stern et al. (2015). Another 2015 study found that although the shopping
environment does have an impact on purchases, it may not be the primary driver in purchasing
decisions. (Pechey & Mosivais, 2015)
The relationships between producers and consumers vary within a food system. The Tiers of the
Food System is a model made up of five tiers that represent the different levels of relationships
between a producer and a consumer from personal production of food to global, anonymous
aggregation and distribution (Bower, Doetch, & Stevenson, 2010). Using these Tiers as a
framework, the aim of the present study was to examine consumer food purchasing patterns in
Bozeman, Montana (est. pop. 43,405) to understand if the location of food shopping and
consumers food purchases are related (US Census Bureau, 2015). Tier one locations were
Townes Harvest CSA Program, and the Bogert Farmers Market. The tier two location was the

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Community Food Co-op. Tier three was analyzed through data from Town & Country and
Albertsons.
Methodology
A cross-sectional design was used. The convenience sample consisted of 83 individuals. A selfconducted survey using electronic and paper forms (dependent on location and internet access)
was performed at five Bozeman, MT locations: Townes Harvest (n=20), Bogert Farmers
Market (n=20), Community Food Co-op (n=19), Town & Country (n=7), and Albertsons (n=16),
given permission of all relevant store managers. The surveys were conducted before or after the
individuals shopping experience given their willingness to participate. Questions were asked
about where and how often people purchase food items at various locations. The demographic
question was based off an employment question in the survey Wellness in the Rockies
(Liebman et al., 2003).

Responses from Town & Country (locally-owned and -operated) and Albertsons (chain) were
treated together under the category Grocery Stores. Data was coded by numbering each response.
No response was coded as 7, other was coded as 8, choose not to answer was coded as 9,
and never was coded as 0. Check all that apply questions were coded 1 if the box was
checked, 0 if the box was unchecked. Qualitative questions were organized into categories of
similar responses. Quantitative data was analyzed to find correlations between multiple questions
based on r-squared values from a two-tailed bivariate correlation test and then frequencies of
responses each question using the computer software PSPP.

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016

Approval was obtained by the Montana State University Institutional Review Board.
Results
Table I: Self-Identifications (Overall)
Student

24.10% n=20

Professional

44.58% n=37

Retired

13.25% n=11

Other

15.66% n=13

Choose not to answer

2.41% n=2

Table II: Participants indicating the methods of obtaining food other than grocery store (Overall)
Garden
Fish for food
Gather/Forage for food
Hunt
Can/Preserve goods
None

55.42%
25.30%
18.07%
28.92%
44.58%
22.89%

Table III: Community Supported Agriculture

No: 43.37%

Why do you purchase a CSA? (Overall)

45.78%

Fresh/Quality food items

49.40%

Environmental Sustainability

30.12%

Accommodations to dietary preferences

9.64%

Other

4.82%

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Table IV: Frequencies of food purchases at given location (Overall)

Food co-ops

Locally-owned
and -operated
grocery stores

Chain grocery
stores

7.23% n=6

12.05% n=10

1.20% n=1

9.64% n=8

22.89% n=19

26.51% n=22

6.02% n=5

21.69% n=18

18.07% n=15

15.66% n=13

13.25% n=11

9.64% n=8

19.28% n=16

21.69% n=18

25.30% n=21

28.92% n=24

22.89% n=19

7.23% n=6

15.66% n=13

12.05% n=10

4.82% n=4

13.25% n=11

37.35% n=31

16.87% n=14

4.82% n=4

2.41% n=2

1.20% n=1

1.20% n=1

Farmer's markets,
farm stands, CSA
Never
Less than once a
month
Once a month
2-3 times a
month
Once a week
More than once
a week
Other

Table V: Determinants of food shopping location by survey location

Farmer's
Market

Location/Convenience

70%

Pricing

55%

Local Preference

30%

Store Layout
Accommodations to dietary
preferences
Product Variety/Brand
Preference

CSA

Grocery Stores (Town

5%
15%
20%

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Other

0%

15%

12.50%

0%

7.23%

Table VI: Food group purchases by survey location

Farmer's
Market

Grocery Stores
Co-op Overall
(Town and
Country/Albertsons
)
100%
95.83%
94.74
97.59
%
%
85%
83.33%
78.95
83.13
%
%
10%
25%
10.53
18.07
%
%
30%
33.33%
47.37
37.35
%
%
60%
37.50%
21.05
37.35
%
%
90%
66.67%
73.68
74.70
%
%
65%
45.83%
57.89
56.63
%
%
50%
45.83%
84.21
54.22
%
%
70%
50%
73.68
60.24
%
%
0%
4.17% 5.26% 2.41%

100%

Dairy

85%

Pre-made Meals

25%

Sweets

40%

Canned Goods

30%

Animal Products

70%

Nuts and Seeds

60%

Snacks

40%

Alcohol

50%

Other

CSA

0%

Of the overall responses, 83.13% seek out locally produced foods. Supporting locally,
sustainability, and the quality of the foods were the most frequent responses as to why

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
participants seek out locally produced foods. The farmers market, grocery store, and Co-op were
the most frequent responses to where participants access locally produced foods.
Conclusions
The purpose of this study was to determine if distance between producer and consumer affects
purchasing patterns in Bozeman, MT. Few correlations were found to be statistically significant.
Comparing demographics to shopping location did not provide statistically significant results.
Shopping location was not found to be a statistically significant indicator of purchases. This is
due to only seven out of 144 comparisons of shopping location frequency and frequency of food
purchases resulting in statistically significant correlations. Some of these findings were analyzed
and found to be +/- infinity as a correlation coefficient. Infinity as a correlation coefficient means
that there was zero conditional variance for the variable in question (produce purchases). This is
a logical finding, due to the fact that all respondents at the tier one locations answered the same,
resulting in zero variance in responses. Other findings indicate no notable trends between
frequency of shopping at certain locations and food purchases. Only two out of nine food group
purchases (animal product and nuts and seeds) showed trends when increasing distance from
producer to consumer. Produce purchases showed at least 94% purchase rates among all groups.
The lack of significant results in these categories is evidence that no significant trends were
found when comparing purchasing patterns and distance from producer to consumer. Difficulty
in finding trends could stem from a limited sample size (n=83). Limiting sample size limits
variability and generalizability in data. A lack of generalizability is also found in convenience
sampling when compared to random sampling.
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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016

Surveys can often appear superficial in their coverage of complex topics (Babbie, 2017). A
lack of validity can be offset with reliability in survey research. This is true for the survey used in
this research, and although this study could likely be repeated, the validity would still be in
question. In an effort to improve validity in this study, the researchers attempted to be specific in
the wording of the survey questions. The thirteen question survey did not provide a
comprehensive view of purchasing patterns. The distribution of the survey was problematic also.
Researchers had difficulty finding willing participants at different locations, especially the
grocery stores. The surveys were conducted using both paper and electronic methods. The
difference in techniques could have produced inconsistencies in the results. The use of paper
surveys at some locations presented a sustainability issue as well, which could be improved upon
by finding ways to use strictly electronic surveys in the future. Location of researchers, time of
day, the wording of the survey/defining of terms should be considered when looking to improve
the current study.

Given that 83% of respondents seek locally produced foods, there appears to be a market in
Bozeman, MT for local goods. Respondents specifically emphasized a desire for fresh, local,
sustainable goods. This information can be helpful in improving the food system and making
locally produced goods more available to the public. Involving local producers can help to
jumpstart the farm-to-table initiative and may be a vital step in improving community health. The

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
increase in sustainable practices often utilized in local production and an increase in availability
in fresh foods can be instrumental in improving the community.

Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016

References
ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program. (2015, August 5). Local and regional food systems.
Retrieved from https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/local_food/
Babbie, E. (2017). The Basics of Social Research (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Bower, J., Doetch, R., & Stevenson, S. (2010, August). The tiers of the food system. Retrieved
from http://www.cias.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/tiers082610lowres.pdf
Feenstra, G. W. (1997). Local food systems and sustainable communities. American Journal of
Alternative Agriculture, 12, 28-36. Doi:10.1017/S0889189300007165
Liebman, M., Pelican, S., Moore, S. A., Holmes, B., Wardlaw, M. K., Melcher, L. M.,. . . .
Haynes, G. W. (2003). Dietary intake, eating behavior, and physical activity-related
determinants of high body mass index in rural communities in Wyoming, Montana, and
Idaho. International Journal of Obesity, 27, 684-692. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802277
Pechey, R., & Monsivais, P. (2015). Supermarket choice, shopping behavior, socioeconomic
status, and food purchases. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(6), 868-877.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.04.020

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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Stern, D., Ng, S. W., & Popkin, B. M. (2016). The Nutrient Content of U.S. Household Food
Purchases by Store Type. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(2), 180-190.
doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.07.025
United States Census Bureau. (2015). QuickFacts Bozeman City, Montana [Data file]. Retrieved
from http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/3008950

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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Appendix
1. How do you identify yourself?
Student
Professional
Retired
Other (Please Specify)
____________________________________
Choose Not to Answer
2. Which method(s) do you use to obtain food? Check all that apply.
Can/Preserve Goods (produce/meats)
Garden
Hunt
Gather/Forage wild foods
Fish for food
Other (Please Specify)
____________________________________
None of the Above
Choose Not to Answer
3. Have you ever purchased a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
Yes
No
Choose Not to Answer
4. If you answered Yes to #3, why do you purchase a CSA? Check all that apply.
Support Montana producers/Montana economy
Fresh/Quality food items
Environmental Sustainability
Accommodations to dietary preferences
Other (Please Specify)
________________________________________________________________________
Choose Not to Answer
Not Applicable

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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016

5. How often do you purchase food at farmers markets, farm stands, Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA)?
Less than once a month
Once a month
2-3 times a month
Once a week
More than once a week
Never
Other (please specify)
________________________________________________________________________
Choose Not to Answer
6. How often do you purchase food from food co-ops?
Less than once a month
Once a month
2-3 times a month
Once a week
More than once a week
Never
Other (please specify)
________________________________________________________________________
Choose Not to Answer
7. How often do you purchase food at locally-owned and -operated grocery stores? For
example, Town & Country, or Heebs.
Less than once a month
Once a month
2-3 times a month
Once a week
More than once a week
Never
Other (please specify)
________________________________________________________________________
Choose Not to Answer

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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016

8. How often do you purchase food from chain grocery stores? For example, Safeway,
Albertsons, Rosauers, Walmart, Smiths, etc.
Less than once a month
Once a month
2-3 times a month
Once a week
More than once a week
Never
Other (please specify)
____________________________________
Choose Not to Answer
9. How do you choose your grocery shopping location? Check all that apply.
Location/ Convenience
Pricing
Local Preference
Store Layout
Accommodation to Dietary Preferences
Product Variety/ Brand Preference
Other (Please Specify)
________________________________________________________________________
Choose Not to Answer
10. In the last two weeks, which of the following food groups have you purchased from? Check
all that apply.
Produce (Fruits and Vegetables)
Dairy (Milk, Cheese, Butter, Milk Products)
Pre-made Meals (Frozen, Microwavable, Stove/Oven Ready)
Sweets (Cookies, Cakes, Candy, Chocolate)
Canned Goods
Animal Products (Meat, Poultry, Fish, Eggs)
Nuts and Seeds
Snacks (Chips, Granola Bars, Crackers)
Alcohol
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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
Other (Please Specify)
________________________________________________________________________
Choose not to answer
11. Do you seek out locally produced foods? (Local is defined as a food produced in Montana)
Yes
No
Choose not to answer
12. If you answered Yes to the question #11, why do you seek out locally produced foods? If
not applicable, write N/A.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
____________
13. If you answered Yes to question #11, where do you access these foods? If not applicable,
write N/A.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________

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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
SUBJECT CONSENT FORM FOR PARTICIPATION IN HUMAN RESEARCH AT
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Purchasing Patterns in a Food System
You are being asked to participate in a research study to identify purchasing patterns of Bozeman
residents. This information will be used to improve the communitys health and well-being by
informing local producers of purchasing patterns in Bozeman. You were identified as a
participant based on your geographic location and food purchasing in Bozeman, MT and your
willingness to complete this survey.
Study Procedure
By completing this survey, your answers will be recorded. The primary and coinvestigators for
this project will analyze the data to identify common themes among purchasing patterns in
Bozeman, MT.
Benefits & Risk of the Study
There are no known benefits of this study to you. Additionally, there is minimal risk associated
with this study.
Alternative Procedures
You may choose not to participate in this study.
Source of Funding
This research is funded by the College of Health and Human Development, Montana State
University.
Cost to Participant
Less than 5 minutes of the participants time will be requested.
Confidentiality
The information you provide will be kept confidential, and no identifiable information will be
asked of you or attached to your responses.
Persons to Contact
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study, please contact any of the primary
investigators. Mercedes Seidel may be contacted by email at mercedes.seidel@ecat.montana.edu;
Lauren Baumgardner may be contacted by email at laurenbaumgardner@yahoo.com; Brianna
Golden may be contacted by email at bgorecki13@gmail.com.
Institutional Review Board
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Brianna Golden
Sadie Seidel
Lauren Baumgardner
SFBS 445R
08.02.2016
If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant you may contact the Chair
of the Institutional Review Board, Mark Quinn at (406) 994-4707 or by email
[mquinn@montana.edu].
Voluntary Participation
Your participation is entirely voluntary and you are free to withdraw at any time. You have the
right to refuse to answer any question on the questionnaire if you so desire.
By participating in this survey, you authorize that you have read the above and understand the
discomforts, inconvenience and risks associated with this study and agree to participate in this
research. You understand that you may later refuse to participate, and that you may withdraw
from the study at any time. I have received a copy of this consent form for my own records.

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