Access to and consumption of regionally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables in Tasmania

Background: Access to and consumption of regionally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) may be limited in agriculturally-productive regions of Tasmania, with significant health and socio-economic implications. This pilot study aimed to measure access to and consumption of regionally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) in Tasmania, and compare the results across levels of rurality.

Methods: A survey measured purchasing patterns and enabling factors related to accessing and consuming regionally-grown FFV, and consumption of regionally-grown FFV as a proportion of overall FFV intake. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted using a convenience sample of Tasmanian adults. Data were coded into ARIA remoteness categories. Chi-square statistics and one-way ANOVA compared results according to rurality.

Results: Respondents (n=104, female=68%, inner-regional residing=81%, income $80,000- $100,000=52%, tertiary educated=86%) perceived regionally-grown FFV as ‘very important’ (67%). Respondents accessed regionally-grown FFV at supermarkets (96%), fruit & vegetable shops (74%), farmers markets (65%), and 74% grow their own, with no difference according to rurality. Respondents reported wanting to know where their FFV is grown (92%), and reported already knowing how to access (81%) and prepare (90%) the FFV. Financial support of community (91%) and farmers (93%) were major enabling factors. On average, 47% vegetables and 62% fruit consumed were estimated as regionally-grown, with no difference according to rurality (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Respondents favoured and frequently accessed regionally-grown FFV, and they contributed a large proportion of overall FFV intake, regardless of rurality. However, respondents were highly-educated, had high income, and based in inner-regional areas, limiting the generalisability of these pilot findings.