Convenience is king, not being green.

That old saying that “time is money” seems to be having a major influence on how Australians are buying their vegetables.

Although it really isn’t about money, it seems to be that convenience is becoming king. People seem content to spend just a little more to be able to get their vegetables more conveniently.

Whether that convenience is buying them online and then delivered or buying them prepacked, it seems that we are trying to have vegetables into our diets as easily as possible.

Research done through Project Harvest, an ongoing study by AusVeg, shows that one in eight Aussies are doing the online thing and getting their vegetables delivered regularly. Those involved in the study say that convenience and ease are driving their choice to get technical.

Kurt Hermann, AusVeg Assistant Manager – Industry Development, said; “When asked their reasons for buying vegetables online, the overwhelming majority of consumers listed ‘convenience. With time becoming a precious commodity, we’ve found that Australians are looking for quicker and simpler ways of getting vegetables into their diet.”

The study also showed that many of those surveyed believed that by buying online, they would be supporting local producers.

Convenience has also stretched to buying pre-prepared vegetables which are packaged and ready to cook or eat. Although this definitely saves time, it counteracts the increasing desire by consumers to reduce waste and packaging, in other words be more sustainable.

Mr Hermann said; “In celery consumption, for example, research shows that 40 per cent of consumers are buying pre-packaged celery, be that half-celery, celery stalks, or celery hearts,”. “This wave of data also shows an increase in purchases of trays of zucchini, from 11 per cent of consumers in August to 18 per cent of consumers in December. We’re encouraged by signs that Australians are finding ways to keep their diets healthy and nutritious even as they deal with increasing demands on their time. All Australians should be enjoying the health and wellbeing benefits that a vegetable-rich diet can provide, and as this research shows, they can take advantage of a range of convenient options to make this happen.”

Written by Rachelle Williams, The Green Food Safety Coach.