Offering Low-Cost Healthy Food: an Exploration of Food Manufacturers' and Retailers' Perspectives

Abstract

This study investigates food manufacturers and retailers attitudes concerning offering healthy and low-cost food to consumers. Results show that the main barriers are: price perception, costs of production, easy accessibility of unhealthy food, and lack of supporting public policy. Solutions include consumers' heightened awareness and knowledge, affordability, better food chain coordination, positioning strategy, and healthy food campaigns. Bigger food manufacturers and retailers, although cautious, are more capable than smaller size enterprises in implementing relevant investment strategies. All food system actors, from agribusinesses to consumers and policymakers, need to play a role in furthering the initiative.